It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. If you are a cybersecurity professional like me, you can probably predict what most of these types of blogs or articles will cover… but this one will be a little different (though I may be biased). Typically, for the month of October, cybersecurity companies intimate current and potential customers by sharing stats about ransomware attacks, phishing, malware, DDoS attacks, and more; in hopes that fear will take over and individuals and companies will implement cybersecurity best practices in their day-to-day lives. Although the statistics are true and sometimes overwhelming, cybersecurity isn’t actually that daunting and complicated. Let me explain…

The Problem: Cybercriminals
The Answer: Cybersecurity Solutions

When looking for the right security solutions for your business, you will want ones that are simple, easy to use and straightforward. Cybersecurity tools and solutions are meant to protect you, not overwhelm you. And it is more important than ever because you and your company don’t want to become one of the gut wrenching statistics. With easy-to-use and easy-to-implement solutions, you’ll find it is easier to switch the cybersecurity narrative to the positive outcomes.

• There are over 700K cybersecurity job openings across the US (Source: CyberSeek)
• 44% of Americans know how to respond in the event of a data breach (Source: Varonis)
• 50% of North America respondents said their top priority this year is being appropriately prepared to respond to a security incident (Source: IDG/Foundry)
• In Q2 2022: 5,520,908 mobile malware, adware and riskware attacks were blocked. (Source: Kaspersky)
• Biden-⁠Harris administration delivers on strengthening America’s cybersecurity (Source: White House)

Conversations around security typically revolve around fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Enough with the doom and gloom. At Quokka, we aren’t here to scare you about hackers and data leaks. We want to empower you to take back your digital privacy and stay ahead of adversaries, all while providing you with easy to apply cybersecurity solutions that prevent unwanted attacks. I’m not diminishing the importance of cybersecurity but instead telling you that fear shouldn’t make you feel like you have zero control over your data. Being proactive with your organization’s cybersecurity and protecting company and employee data makes you the hero. It’s time to choose hope, optimism, and forward movement.

What you do on your personal device shouldn’t mean your privacy and information is up for grabs. You deserve better. By embracing new technology and innovations like Q-Scout, a BYOD-first, privacy-based security solution, you are taking control of your digital security and privacy. Our solution helps you to take a proactive stance on managing the apps on your mobile device and reduce your mobile weak spots. Along with implementing Q-Scout, we’re sharing three ways you can manage your apps and protect your data:

1. Pay Attention to Permissions – Enabling most or all permissions means that your phone can collect more personal data it doesn’t need to operate the application.
2. Read Terms of Service – Reviewing the Terms of Service, users can proactively assess if they are comfortable with the data that is being shared or limit the app’s accessibility if they are not.
3. Understand What’s Really Happening on Your Device – Some apps could be sharing data with each other when they shouldn’t be and without your knowledge. While one app could be working as intended, the other may be distributing your data elsewhere.

According to CISA, there are four simple actions you can take to significantly reduce cyber risk.

• Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
• Update Your Software: Don’t delay — If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
• Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.