No one likes a hacked account. A hacked account can result in financial loss, identity theft, or just a whole lot of wasted time. Not to mention a loss of reputation and trust from your clients. 

None of these outcomes benefit you, but unfortunately, you don’t have too much control over what is or is not hacked.  All you have control over is the aftermath. So, if you happen to find yourself on the receiving end of a security incident, here’s what you should remember. 

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Login Credentials

Your login credentials should be changed as quickly as possible before any  of your personal data can be accessed.  The sooner you get around to doing this, the better off you’ll be. If you change your logins before anyone gets inside your account, then obviously they won’t be able to get inside your account at all.  

Even if they manage to crack your credentials, it won’t do them any good. Those credentials will be old by that time. 

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Emails

When criminals hack their way into a database, they can stand to take a lot of information.  Some are valuable.  Some not.  

But one of the things they will likely gather is your email address.  And surprisingly, if they have your email address, they don’t need much else to send a rather legit phishing email your way. Your email address isn’t the only thing they might have.  In all likelihood, they probably have a few personal details, as well.  Because of this, you need to be wary of any emails you receive and think twice about clicking links, downloading attachments, or fulfilling any requests – even if it looks 100% legitimate.    

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Credit Report

Again, hackers can stand to take a lot of information about you after a breach.  If they have enough of the right information, they can potentially steal your identity. After a breach, monitor your credit report carefully

Depending on the severity of the breach and the type of company breached, there might be free credit monitoring services offered.  However, if there aren’t, you can always create a free account on Credit Karma.

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Credit Cards

If you any have financial information tied to your account, then you’ll have to keep a close eye on your bank statements as well.  You may even need to request a replacement for any credit card used or saved on the site.  

Keep in mind, this doesn’t just apply for websites like Target and Amazon – where purchasing products is the sole purpose. It could be a site like LinkedIn, which gives you the option to pay for a higher-level membership.

What About Other Precautions?

Handling the aftermath of these types of situations is something you have control over as a leader of your organization, but taking precautions beforehand that will allow you to protect your business before the hackers hit is vital. Hacker culture has gained so much traction in the United States so keeping your information secure is a priority for all businesses.

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Managed Security Solutions

There are a number of managed security offerings that will secure your business and protect  your perimeter and end users. 

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Data Security

Your data is a primary driving force for your business. Whether it’s that of your employees or your clients, data can include very sensitive information that needs to be protected to maintain your reputation in the marketplace.

With real time data protection your remote workforce will be able to work efficiently outside of the office, without the concern of compromising personal information or other sensitive data. They are inherently more vulnerable without security precautions and best practices in place. The right Managed Service Provider (MSP) will handle this for you. 

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Identity Management

Another managed security solution that will allow your team to work safely whether they’re in or out of the office is Identity Management. New social engineering scams are allowing hackers to easily steal your identity through various means. 

Passwords are no longer enough to ensure secure access to systems. Supplementing traditional password access with an additional layer of security has proven to be a very effective defense against identity theft. This can be provided in various form factors to make it as seamless as possible for your users to strike a balance between convenience and protection.

Through  Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and password management your team will be able to easily access the network without the concern of stolen data. Hackers have been able to gain access to information that  could  be anything  from your  date of birth to your payment card data. Incorporating these kinds of solutions through an MSP will allow your organization to thrive safely. 

These are only a few of the managed security solutions that can help your business stay protected during a time when new hacking schemes are popping up everywhere. If you’d like more information about securing your network, contact The TNS Group today. 

Categories: Managed Service Provider, MSP Blogs