Safe Internet Day special 2021
February 9 2021: More expert advice on staying safe on the Internet  -- whether  as individuals or businesses:
Adam Palmer, Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, Tenable:
Safer internet day is perhaps more important than ever this year. In the last twelve months, the way we work or access education has changed beyond recognition. Organisations have opened up networks to accommodate a remote workforce. Students are using apps and services, typically the realm of the corporate world, to participate in virtual classes. Many of these cloud-based tools and services are accessed using personal devices that are unsecured or beyond the remit of the IT or security team.  This expanded attack service presents an attractive target for attackers who frequently use personal devices to not only steal data on the device itself, but also look to move laterally across networks and cause further harm.
Research by Tenable’s Security Response Team, examining details from 730 publicly disclosed data breaches in 2020, found that threat actors rely on unpatched vulnerabilities in their attacks. These ‘broken windows’ are primarily used to gain initial access into a target network. From there, attackers leverage serious vulnerabilities, like  Zerologon, to elevate privileges, granting themselves the ability to gain access to domain controllers within the network.
Most of these attacks are avoidable with basic safety steps. Good security awareness and basic cyber hygiene prevents mistakes that can cause serious harm. In tandem, it is critical that users take responsibility for updating and securing their devices to close these broken windows.With technology now an integral part of modern life we all have a part to play in securing the devices we use.
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Safe Internet tips from Sameer Raje, Head of India  at Zoom The YouTube Video
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Neelesh Kripalani, Sr. VP & Head- Center of Excellence – Clover Infotech
At a time when news of ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and data breaches have taken over the world, cybersecurity is one of the top priorities among businesses and end-users alike. Data from the National Cyber Security Coordinator shows that everyday across India there are almost four lakh pieces of malware found, and 375 reports of cyberattacks. In 2020 alone, India saw a 37% increase in data breaches and cyberattacks, keeping IT departments on their toes working around the clock to combat these threats.
In such scenarios, preparedness is paramount, to ensure business continuity. One of the key ways to ensure this preparedness is through awareness about the threats cyberattacks pose. When we talk about awareness, we emphasize the need for the right awareness, and clarity between what is real and what is fake. Within the cybersecurity realm, there are a lot of misconceptions, and hence it is vital to bust the myths and separate fact from fake.
Myth #1: We’re too small, it can’t happen to us
Fact: You are never too small to be attacked
Myth #2: Anti-virus or Anti-malware is enough to secure my business
Fact: Your entire IT infrastructure cannot be secured by an Anti-virus or Anti-malware
Myth #3: We’ve a strong password policy, we’re safe
Fact: Having a strong password policy is just the starting point
Myth #4: Cyber threats always come from external sources
Fact: Cyberattacks may knowingly or unknowingly be launched from someone on the inside
Myth #5: Cybersecurity involves huge financial investments
Fact: The downside cost of a cyberattack is greater than the cost of cybersecurity
Insights  from Sophos for businesses
Usually, when Safe Internet Day  comes around, the cybersecurity situation hasn’t changed much from the year before, so it doesn’t feel like much of a reason to do anything special.
But that’s not the case in 2021, thanks to the lifestyle changes that the coronavirus pandemic has brought around the world.
For most of us, the internet has been a godsend over the last year. It’s enabled us to continue working, studying, shopping, socialising and being entertained when we couldn’t do it in person.
At the same time, however, the crooks have regularly exploited the health-related fears and anxieties of all of us – as home users, employees and employers – to lure us into their criminal traps.
With all this in mind, why not take advantage of SAFER INTERNET DAY 2021 to check your online security practices and make sure you, your family and your friends are as safe as possible?
Five tips for businesses on Safe Internet Day by Paul Ducklin/Sophos