Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine has had – and will continue to have – a global impact. Ukrainians are our friends and neighbors, with more than 80,000 people of Ukrainian descent living in Ohio. What seems to be a world away is impacting people right here in Columbus. The attack on the Ukraine has included extensive DDoS and malware attacks, in an attempt to cripple their government. Yet, these types of attacks are a global threat, and the Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning of potential US targets, including banks, utilities, and communications. We urge all of our clients, and all Columbus organizations, to take the following proactive measures:
Implement MFA Now
If you’re not already using multifactor authentication (MFA) to access your network and sensitive data, implement the security enhancement immediately. This one step can prevent 99% of attacks from being successful.
Patch All Software
Make sure all the software you use is up to date. Prioritize any software with known vulnerabilities.
Review Your Disaster Recovery Plan
Do you have isolated, offsite backups of your critical data? Do you have designated team members assigned to handle specific steps in your recovery process? Now is the time to review not only your disaster recovery plan but also to analyze your supply chain, to ensure you can withstand any disruptions.
Communicate with and Train Employees
Make sure your employees, whether they’re in the office or working remotely, are aware of the heightened risk. Insist on a zero-trust environment. Provide ongoing training and guidance.
Get in Touch with your vCIO
If you are concerned about your ability to adequately mitigate risk during this escalated period of threat, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vCIO and discuss your concerns.
Here at thinkCSC, we continue to monitor the situation and are remaining proactive and vigilant about the threats facing our global community.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine.
