CybeReady, a global innovator in security awareness training, introduces five key initiatives to strengthen defenses against the expected surge in cybercrime activity coinciding with Black Friday, one of the busiest seasons of the year. I have outlined about. These measures are designed to maintain the integrity of personal and business data during peak online shopping times.
The company warns that the period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday is notorious for increasing cybercrime tactics. The significant increase in reported fraud this year indicates that the risks associated with email fraud, ransomware, e-commerce infrastructure attacks, and data skimming are at an unprecedented level.
To protect organizations and individuals in this growing threat landscape, CybeReady recommends engaging in five core defenses:
First, a thorough cyber risk assessment is paramount to ensuring the integrity of your digital environment. These assessments require thorough checks of e-commerce platforms for potential vulnerabilities such as outdated software or insecure data transfer channels.
Next, you need a cybersecurity plan tailored to Black Friday. This plan calls for collaboration between marketing and security teams to strengthen website security and foster authentic customer communication.
Third, comprehensive automated data security and compliance monitoring with automated security tools is essential to identifying and responding to threats in real-time. We also recommend using AI-driven systems to detect anomalous access patterns.
Fourth, regular updates to web applications and plugins are also key to reducing risk, eliminating known vulnerabilities, and preventing attacks.
Finally, it is essential to promote safe online shopping practices among employees, provide education on phishing risks, and emphasize the need to verify the authenticity of websites and apps.
CybeReady has created a free Black Friday CISO toolkit to help you build your enterprise defense strategy. This toolkit allows you to enter the URL manually, use official shopping applications, check for secure website markers like a lock next to the URL, use a secure third-party payment method, or link later. We encourage our employees to practice certain safety habits, such as avoiding clicking . Regularly check your financial accounts for purchase communications and unsolicited transactions.
Michal Gil, head of product at CybeReady, emphasizes the continued threat of cyberattacks, especially during events that increase online activity such as Black Friday. The focus goes beyond transaction security to maintaining the trust and integrity of businesses in the eyes of consumers. By following the guidance provided, organizations will be better prepared to meet and overcome the evolving challenges posed by cyber threats during such events.
Michal Gil said, “The threat of cyberattacks is present all year round, but is especially heightened during events such as Black Friday, when online activity increases.”
“It is important not only to protect transactions, but also to maintain the trust and integrity of businesses in the eyes of consumers. This guidance will help organizations effectively face and overcome these new cyber challenges. We can prepare you to do so.”