The significance of cyber security and the dangers it poses to digital marketers cannot be overstated. A recent Hiscox survey found that seven out of ten marketers were unprepared to deal with a cyber-attack in the first place. Fortunately, there are several steps digital marketers can take to protect themselves. End-user education, software and hardware firewalls, and customer data protection are among the steps taken.
Cybersecurity
Companies involved in digital marketing must emphasize the significance of cybersecurity as data becomes increasingly valuable. A secure connection is required to safeguard sensitive data and prevent hackers from gaining access to it. A valid VPN will protect your data and ensure that all traffic passes through a tunnel that is encrypted. Here are a few steps marketers should take to ensure cybersecurity in their digital marketing efforts.
These measures will assist you in establishing a secure environment for your clients and users. Digital marketing, like all online businesses, places a premium on security. Cyberattacks can wreak havoc on your company’s finances and reputation. Due to the risks, it is essential to invest in cybersecurity measures and remain current on the latest developments. Here are a few tips to keep your digital systems safe:
End-user education
End-user education is one of the most neglected aspects of cybersecurity and digital marketing. Training in cybersecurity is essential for protecting an organization’s data, but it is not always a simple or convenient task. End-users may not care about the content and are not as intelligent as IT specialists. However, there are numerous ways to make end-users feel safer and educate them on cybersecurity. The most effective methods involve presenting training in a way that is both comprehensible and easily assimilated. To prevent employees from losing interest in lengthy training, use humor.
Simulated attacks are an effective method for educating end users on cybersecurity. IT managers and departments can set up phishing and ransomware scenarios in which they send simulated attacks to end users and allow them to compete to be the first to identify them. The objective is to increase user engagement and cybersecurity awareness while educating them on the dangers of cyberattacks. The majority of end users do not comprehend how their web browsers function; therefore, educating them on these issues can help them protect their data and make prudent decisions.
Software and hardware firewalls
Both hardware and software firewalls are used to protect the network from unauthorized access. Software firewalls keep intruders out, whereas hardware firewalls divide computers based on the granularity of their access. Hardware firewalls complement other security measures, such as antivirus software. Hardware firewalls are typically more sophisticated and may even include an integrated security suite that monitors the host for out-of-band attacks and ransomware threats. In addition, software firewalls provide granular application-level access control.
Hardware firewalls typically include complex features that are free after purchase. Nonetheless, some of these products contain out-of-date rules, which can reduce their efficacy. If you installed a hardware firewall several years ago, it’s likely that you’ll need to update its software frequently. This can be time-intensive and expensive. Online components and updates are included in more sophisticated hardware firewalls. Most of them charge a monthly or annual fee, while simpler models are free but don’t work with other services.
Protecting customer data
When it comes to digital marketing, the significance of keeping customer information secure cannot be overstated. A data breach that occurred recently at Equifax caused the company to suffer an overnight loss in the market value of $4 billion. Equifax is still dealing with the negative public relations that have arisen as a direct result of the data breach, in addition to the financial costs. But protecting customer data is important for marketers to do for a variety of other reasons as well.
Controlling who has access to sensitive customer data is an essential component of data security. Even though the personally identifiable information of customers is quite valuable, not every worker in an organization requires access to it. If the appropriate access controls are put in place, it will be impossible for unauthorized individuals to gain access to customer data and cause damage to the company. For instance, the marketing department shouldn’t be able to view user information under any circumstances. Nevertheless, there are methods available to restrict the amount of information that employees can access about customers.