Cybersecurity in advisory and consulting firms

Advisory and consulting firms handle and collect a large amount of data and confidential information that could be vulnerable in the event of a cyberattack.

What cyberattacks mainly affect advisory and consulting firms?

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware attacks are one of the most commonly used against advisory and consulting firms due to the consequences they produce. As mentioned, these firms deal with data and confidential information, and ransomware attacks involve stealing information, encrypting it, and demanding a ransom for its recovery. If the company refuses to pay the ransom, the cybercriminal threatens to publicly expose the stolen information.

It is crucial to perform regular backups of the entire system and have firewalls, antivirus software in place, and never give in to the cybercriminal's demands, as paying does not guarantee the recovery of the information or prevent its public exposure.

Password theft

Approximately 25% of users use the same password for all their accounts, making it easier for passwords to be stolen. Short and uncomplicated passwords are the easiest to steal, allowing unauthorized third parties to access private information. That's why having a strong password is crucial. Very long passwords with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers are the best combination. Additionally, long passphrases are also effective. For example: "IhavesomuchsecurityinmyITinfrastructurethatnocybercriminalcanbreakit".

Here is a link where you can find several websites to check the security of your passwords.

To prevent password theft, it is essential to work with a password manager.

Aproximadamente el 25% de los usuarios utilizan la misma contraseña en todas sus cuentas, lo que facilita el robo de contraseñas. Contraseñas cortas y poco complicadas son las más fáciles de robar, provocando que terceros no autorizados puedan acceder a información privada. Por eso, es importante tener una buena contraseña. Contraseñas muy largas, con mayúsculas, minúsculas y números es la mejor combinación. También contraseñas muy largas con frases. Ejemplo: tengotantaseguridadenmiinfraestructuraitqueningunciberdelincuentepuederomperla

To prevent password theft, it is essential to work with a password manager.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are a type of cyberattack launched via email with the aim of deceiving the user into taking certain actions, such as revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. These attacks often involve impersonating a t<rustworthy entity to gain the user's trust.

Some cybersecurity recommendations for advisory and consulting firms

Have a cybersecurity specialist

All companies should have the support of an IT specialist with knowledge in cybersecurity or a cybersecurity expert, whether internally or externally. Installing a firewall or antivirus is not enough to guarantee the security of a system. Constantly monitoring equipment and infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and security gaps is crucial to determine the precautions and security measures that should be implemented.

Employee training

Human errors are the main cause of malware entry into a company. Raising employee awareness and providing them with training on the dangers they may face and giving them advice on best practices are essential, especially to prevent phishing attacks.

At ESED, we offer the ESED Training service for employee training.

Implement a cybersecurity strategy:

Cybersecurity policies or strategies are a guide to best practices for the company, outlining the plans, procedures, and processes that determine how a company should protect all its information. It is also essential to consider how employees should proceed within the organization and their responsibilities for preserving and protecting the organization's assets.

Having this IT security strategy is important for monitoring the company's security and reaching a consensus on a single course of action, both in terms of security and in response to a cyberattack.

Have a Disaster Recovery Plan:

A Disaster Recovery Plan or a plan for disaster recovery is a set of actions and resources, both technical and human, used to establish protocols of action. It determines how the company will proceed to minimize damage and restore normalcy as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost.

Know the security level of your IT infrastructure:

Conducting regular audits of your IT system and infrastructure is the key to knowing its status or security level.

Know the security level of your IT infrastructure:

At ESED, as cybersecurity specialists, we know that cyberattacks are on the rise, and with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, they are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. That's why having a cybersecurity specialist, whether internal or as an external provider, is of paramount importance to prevent a cyberattack that could jeopardize the reputation and operations of the advisory or consulting firm.