A risk profile is an evaluation of cybersecurity threats. Keep reading to learn more about risk profiles and why they are an important piece of cybersecurity. Also, find out how a HIPAA compliant email provider can help healthcare providers stay one step ahead.
How to create a risk profile
The first step of creating a risk profile is to identify your organization’s critical assets. This is data that would have the biggest impact on your business operations if compromised or exposed. Also, think about the processes that use or need this information. Next, consider the types of potential threats that would affect these operations. Some examples could be data theft or credential misuse. Once possible threats are determined, it’s time to take a look at what vulnerabilities exist in your environment that make your organization more susceptible. A common weakness is often a lack of employee awareness. Does your staff use weak passwords? Can they recognize a malicious email? Outdated antivirus software is another flaw that might open the path for a successful malware attack.
Make a business continuity plan as part of your cybersecurity
After crucial assets and threats are identified, the next step is coming up with strategies to avoid or manage them. This process is often documented through a business continuity plan. Organizations can then work on implementing the appropriate safeguards. These might include encrypting information, creating data backups, patching software or training employees on best practices. It is crucial to make cybersecurity an ongoing priority with an annual risk management review. Companies should also update their information security program to reflect the latest policies and standards. Involved leadership can help secure the necessary budget for security solutions. It also reinforces the importance of cybersecurity awareness across your company.
Four proactive ways to reduce your cybersecurity risk
While risk profiles will vary from company to company, certain strategies will steer you in the right direction from the start. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends these foundational measures:
- Address known security flaws. Check out CISA’s list of known exploited vulnerabilities for any software that your organization uses and make updates as needed.
- Replace end-of-life software products that no longer receive updates and systems with unchangeable passwords.
- Sign up for CISA’s Cyber Hygiene Vulnerability Scanning service by emailing vulnerability@cisa.dhs.gov. This helps protect internet-facing systems against weak configurations or known vulnerabilities.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) as often as possible. Requiring a second layer of authentication can help block a hacker from gaining further access to your accounts.
Secure your email with Paubox
Risk management is especially crucial for healthcare providers since they are also obligated to keep protected health information (PHI) secure. And with email serving as a leading threat vector for cybercrime, stronger email security is a must. That’s where Paubox Email Suite’s HIPAA compliant email platform comes in. Paubox Email Suite’s Plus and Premium plan levels enable healthcare email encryption by default. This means you don’t have to spend time deciding which emails to encrypt to comply with HIPAA email rules. Plus, patients can access messages directly in their inbox without having to navigate any separate passwords or portals. Paubox Email Suite’s Plus and Premium plan levels include robust inbound email security tools that block malicious emails from reaching the inbox in the first place. Our patent-pending Zero Trust Email feature uses email AI to confirm that an email is authentic. Additionally, our patented ExecProtect feature intercepts display name spoofing attempts.
Try Paubox Email Suite Plus for FREE today.
HITRUST CSF certified 4.9/5.0 on the G2 Grid Paubox secures 70 million HIPAA compliant emails every month.
