Hawaii businesses are growing, and so are cybersecurity threats. In just the last week, a major ransomware attack hit at least three Hawaiian government systems, causing shutdowns and other damage.

With a new year closing in, many Hawaiian companies are rethinking their cybersecurity strategy to better protect against these kinds of threats. Here are some of the ways they’re revamping their security efforts:

1. Protecting Their Cloud Operations

In the past, cybersecurity professionals focused their efforts on protecting data stored locally. But this is no longer enough. With more and more of our lives moving into the cloud – from email to financial records to medical records – it’s imperative that companies take steps to protect their data there as well.

For those who store critical data files via the cloud, they should encrypt them first so that if somebody hacks into your account, they can’t access the files without a key or password needed to decrypt them. Encryption also prevents accidental deletion of these crucial files.

One way to do this is by deploying cloud access security brokers (CASBs). These tools can help protect your data while it’s in transit and when it’s stored in the cloud. They work by encrypting your data, identifying sensitive information, and controlling who has access to it.

2. Outsourcing Their Cybersecurity

In addition to protecting their cloud operations, many Hawaii businesses are outsourcing their cybersecurity. This is a good option for companies that don’t have the budget or staff to devote to cybersecurity full-time.

Outsourced cybersecurity firms can help protect your company from malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. They can also help you set up firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as well as train your employees on cybersecurity best practices.

3. Updating Their Password Policies

A weak password is one of the easiest ways for a hacker to gain access to your system. That’s why it’s important for businesses to update their password policies and enforce strong passwords across all user accounts.

This involves creating a password policy that dictates what makes for a strong password, implementing MFA (multi-factor authentication), then enforcing it across your employee accounts. You can also install systems that block employees from accessing sensitive data until they have successfully logged in with their new passwords, so they don’t accidentally use an old one.

3. Training Employees on Security Awareness

Since cybersecurity is such a high-stakes issue, many cybersecurity experts recommend that companies train their employees on cybersecurity best practices.  After all, according to Varonis, 95% of data breaches are caused by human error.

Training employees can help reduce phishing attacks, spearphishing attacks, and other cyber threats because your employees will know better than to click on unknown links or download suspicious attachments.

4. Getting a New Cyber Insurance Policy

Hawaii companies should also consider getting a new cyber liability insurance policy this year—especially if they have not already done so. A cybersecurity insurance policy would help pay for the cost of replacing or repairing damaged equipment, as well as the cost of recovering and restoring data that has been lost or stolen.

It’s important to note that not all cybersecurity insurance policies are created equal. So be sure to do your research and find a policy that fits your company’s needs.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, Hawaii businesses must take steps to protect themselves from cyber attacks. By following these guidelines, Hawaii businesses will be better able to safeguard their data and stay compliant with industry regulations.