What is A Cybersecurity Threat?
Cybersecurity threats are classified as any action that exploits vulnerabilities in a system. It aims to steal, damage, or disrupt information. These attacks typically use methods such as computer viruses, data breaches, and other vectors to access a company's network.
Cybercriminals, also known as bad actors, typically launch attacks from remote locations via unknown parties or unsafe software. But it’s also possible for them to physically breach your site and gain access to your network from your devices.
Major Impacts of Cybersecurity Threats
Any threat to your security can pose risks to your company and customers. Here are some consequences you may face from a cybersecurity threat.
- Reputational costs
Service providers, such as call centers, should protect clients' information and provide high-quality customer support. A major breach caused by weak call center security can quickly erode trust and drive customers towards competitors.
- Financial losses
Data breaches can imply significant financial losses. Cybercriminals can steal information that grants them access to financial resources and other information they can sell.
- Regulatory fines
If you can’t prove that you can protect personal data, your business may experience more cybersecurity threats. Failure to meet minimum regulatory requirements can result in additional fines and other penalties.
- Operational disruptions
Your company may take more time to recover from large-scale cyberattacks. These threats can put your operations on hold while establishing the necessary security protocols to keep your system safe again.
5 Cybersecurity Threats Common in Call Centers
As technology continues to develop, fraudsters are coming up with new ways to steal your data. Some of the methods you may face can include the following:
- Denial-of-service attacks (DoS)
DoS attacks happen when a cybercriminal directs traffic to your network and causes it to crash and shut down. Without strong network security in place, this can prevent you and your customers from accessing your system and getting the resources you need.
- Data breaches
Malware attacks or hacking attempts cause data breaches that aim to expose or steal personal or sensitive information. While most cases involve malicious intent, some can occur unintentionally, such as when an employee inadvertently discloses sensitive data.
- Threats to physical security
A cybercriminal can also access your network by stealing your devices and logging in through your accounts. If your physical workplace doesn’t have any security measures, such as guards, biometric entry systems, or CCTV cameras, it may be easier to get what they want.
- Identity theft
Data is the most valuable resource in the world today. Cybercriminals use tactics to impersonate customers and steal information from call center databases. The reverse can also happen when fraudsters make sales calls to your customers and pretend to be from your company to fetch valuable information.
- Social engineering attacks
Social engineering attacks aim to heighten your sense of urgency by manipulating the situation. These can include pretexting, persuasive speech, and phishing schemes where bad actors psychologically control you to take action quickly without giving you time to assess the problem at hand.
Best Practices for Strong Call Center Cybersecurity
Keep cybercriminals at bay by establishing robust cybersecurity protocols for on-site and remote employees. Here are some call center security best practices you can try.
- Improve physical security
Invest in options that make your physical branch safer, such as installing CCTV cameras and hiring trained guards. You can also optimize your entrance doors with security passcodes and biometrics systems and set up passwords for employees’ work devices.
- Implement role-based access
Limit access to specific network resources to team leads and trusted employees. This practice will help control system traffic and make it easier to trace activities, whether the person is reporting on-site or remotely.
- Update software regularly
Software support with regular updates often includes security fixes that make your system harder for bad actors to penetrate. These upgrades can boost app performance and remove outdated features that hinder your operations.
- Invest in staff training
Teaching your staff to spot anomalies in your system and suspicious activity can help keep your network safe. With proper training, they can perform tasks more carefully and avoid basic mistakes, such as clicking on unsafe links.
- Use authentication and authorization systems
Authentication systems use artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure only legitimate users with valid credentials can access your network. You can also combine these systems with other protocols like two-factor authentication to challenge cybercriminals in accessing your data.
- Maintain regulatory compliance
Legal compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other data privacy laws should always be one of your priorities. Doing so saves your business’s resources and reputation, as well as proves that your company can uphold customer data protection.
- Test your security
Perform regular vulnerability assessment tests on your network to secure any holes that cybercriminals can exploit. This practice will help reassure you and your customers that your portals are secure and protected by the best cybersecurity protocols against cyberattacks.
- Make use of the cloud
When a cybercriminal breaches your network, it may take time to recover and resume normal operations. If you migrate to cloud-based services, you can immediately shut down your processes to avoid more damage and restore your network faster. Opting for cloud solutions mitigates operational disruptions and prevents further losses.
- Use the right tools
Utilizing the right tools (like encryption applications, firewalls, and antivirus software) in your daily operations can help you establish good cybersecurity. The integrated tools can simplify your processes and expand your company’s capabilities beyond network security.
Rest Easy with the Right Cybersecurity Solutions
While remote work setups are growing in popularity across industries, challenges such as cybersecurity threats are becoming more prevalent. Fraudsters are getting bolder with their approaches. This leaves your system and employees vulnerable to attacks, especially when they’re home without the right tools to protect them.
While you can always train your workers to spot abnormalities in your system, partnering with a firm with a better cybersecurity protocol may be a stronger way to keep your business safe. If you’re looking for a call center outsourcing group that can make your cybersecurity its top priority, then Select VoiceCom is for you!
Reach out to our team of experts today to learn more about our services.