Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of modern business operations, with cyber threats evolving rapidly and becoming more sophisticated. Regular cybersecurity assessments are essential to ensure that systems, networks, cloud presence, personnel, and IT policies remain secure and up-to-date. These assessments go beyond the scope of ongoing IT Managed Services Provider (MSP) support and conventional protection measures such as anti-virus software and spam filtering.
Periodic third-party cybersecurity assessments are a critical component in the security strategy of organizations of all sizes. These assessments provide an external view of an organization’s cybersecurity posture, highlighting areas where security can be enhanced to mitigate risks, reduce the likelihood of a hack, and lessen the impact of a successful breach. The importance of these assessments stems from their ability to identify gaps in IT policies, training, system patch levels, network configurations, and password strength among other areas.
As we approach February 2024, significant changes loom over the horizon for email communication. Major email service providers, including Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Apple, are setting the stage for more rigorous enforcement of email authentication standards to curb spam, phishing, and malware threats.
In March 2021, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), a significant move towards enhancing the data privacy rights of Virginia residents. This act, effective from January 1, 2023, is the state’s principal consumer data protection law, and it’s crucial for businesses worldwide dealing with clients in Virginia to understand its implications.