When it comes to cybersecurity, compliance with a standard is only part of the equation. Companies like us must be proactive in their approach and take extra steps to protect confidential information or risk becoming compromised by hackers.
Thankfully, meeting this demand for advanced cybersecurity has become simpler thanks to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The CMMC certification confirms that Carr Manufacturing Company and other businesses in the defense industrial base are operating within current industry standards regarding data protection. This certification ensures that we are resilient against any attempt at malicious manipulation from external threats.
Let’s explore the possible cyber threats that companies face, why every business must comply with CMMC, and how doing so can help you stay secure for years into the future.
What cyber threats might your business face?
The key to preventing attacks is to understand how they happen. Here are the risks that your company might be facing:
Inadequate patch management
Cyber security relies heavily on patch management. Patches are updates that fix problems and vulnerabilities in software or applications. Organizations must apply new patches as soon as they are released. Since hackers can exploit the vulnerabilities once they’re made public, they can take advantage of them.
In organizations, patch management ensures the appropriate patches are applied when notified to those responsible for application maintenance. The best practices outlined in 27001 should be followed when creating a patch management program.
Phishing
Phishing is a cybersecurity concern that can compromise data. Fraudulent emails that look like genuine messages from trusted organizations start this kind of fraud. People are often lured in by their emails, claiming they have won a prize or have a problem with their account.
An invitation follows that encourages the recipient to click a link and provide their information. Cybercriminals continue evolving tactics despite email systems becoming more adept at detecting malicious emails. The result is that people regularly receive bogus messages in their inboxes.
Weak passwords
The issue of password practices persists despite organizations’ advances in securing their systems. In most cases, login information and a password are the only safeguards protecting accounts; malicious actors can exploit these safeguards to gain access to an account. The attacker can guess these details if he knows the victim personally or finds the information online.
These details are often included in passwords, even if they’re not easily accessible. Therefore, they can guess popular names and other information without much effort. You achieve a higher level of security by using three unrelated words with a minimum of six letters than by using one word plus numbers and special characters.
Ransomware
There is no doubt that ransomware is one of the fastest-growing threats organizations face today. By encrypting files, the malware prevents the victim from accessing their systems. To regain access to the information, the attackers send a ransom note demanding bitcoins. Cyber-criminals have immensely popularized these attacks thanks to the cheap cost of malware and the ease of planting it on systems through phishing emails.
Most victims are willing to pay the ransom demand, another advantage for cybercriminals. In this situation, victims cannot access their files without payment: if they are locked out of those files, payment is the only option.
Paying a ransom, however, is not recommended by experts. Once the attackers receive payment, they cannot guarantee that they will return the data. Victims cannot solve the problem by paying up alone. As the organization restores its systems and continues to notify of its data breaches, it still faces days of disruption.
Malware
Malware can do a variety of malicious things depending on its form. Pop-up advertisements are displayed on the victim’s computer by adware, and bots perform automated tasks on the device due to infected websites.
A virus can reproduce itself undetected and spread from one device to another. These viruses aim to steal information from programs and files by attaching themselves to them. On the dark web, criminal hackers can market this information.
We comply with the CMMC standards
Cybersecurity compliance is a critical piece of any organization’s overall security posture. Your organization can proactively address these threats by implementing CMMC policies, processes, and procedures.
As a Department of Defense contractor, Carr Manufacturing Company is committed to maintaining the highest security and compliance standards. We are proud to say that we comply with the DOD’s CMMC standards.
If you are looking for a reliable and secure partner for your manufacturing needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We would be happy to discuss how we adhere to CMMC standards.