WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FACE A CYBERCRIME IN THE WORKPLACE

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You do not expect it to happen to your business until one morning, your emails are stolen or a client’s secret information is leaked. Cybercrime is not only a threat to large companies anymore. Small and medium businesses in Malaysia, at large, are a new target since they are perceived to be easier to hack.

Panic is a normal aspect in such moments, but what you do next will make all the difference. A structured response can contain the damage, safeguard your data, and save your reputation. This is what any employer and business owner must do when a cyber attack occurs at work.

Contain the breach

And first things first, be calm and move swiftly. You want to prevent further attacks. Immediately disconnect computers or servers from the network. But do not switch them off. Shutting down the devices can destroy important evidence.

Always have an internal response plan in place. Give your IT, management, and communications teams roles to play. So that when a situation arises, you are all too familiar with what to do.

Bring in the experts, particularly computer forensics

When the situation is managed, invite computer forensics experts. They are the virtual investigators who can track the way the attack occurred, what was accessed or stolen, and gather legally admissible evidence.

Computer forensics is not only about retrieving the lost data, but also about knowing the who, how, and why of the incident. This knowledge allows you to avoid it in the future and reinforces your stand in case of legal or insurance claims.

Report the incident

In Malaysia, Cybercrimes are to be reported to CyberSecurity Malaysia or the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Reporting is a compliance issue. It can also be beneficial to other people, providing the authorities with information about active cybercriminal gangs.

What is more, in case of the breach of client or customer data, you might be legally or ethically obligated to inform the affected individuals. Being open also fosters trust in spite of hard times.

Review and strengthen security measures

When the dust has settled, conduct a post-mortem. This security audit will detect weaknesses like:

  • Old software
  • Weak passwords 
  • Access controls.

Next, apply more fortifications: 

  • Use multi-factor authentication 
  • Regularly upgrade systems
  • Invest in endpoint protection systems.

Do not fix the noticeable issue alone, but examine your company culture. 

  • Do employees know about phishing risks? 
  • Do they know how to act if they notice something suspicious? 

Awareness is half the battle.

Train your team

Last but not least, human error is still a threat. Even the most effective security systems cannot safeguard against that. Cybersecurity training will make sure that your team can identify and react to threats.

  • Use short, interactive workshops.
  • Simulate phishing. 
  • Educate staff on how to handle sensitive information.
  • Inform about the indicators of possible breaches. 
  • Integrate cyber safety into your onboarding and constant culture. It should not be a once-a-year box to check.

The takeaway

Keep in mind: prevention begins a long time before an intrusion. Defend, invest in computer forensics relationships, and make your team your front line of cybersecurity. Since in a modern digital workplace, security is a duty.