Protect Your Organization Against Data Breaches and Cybercrime Scams
Your organization's employees are your greatest assets. But did you also know they can be one of your greatest liabilities when it comes to keeping your data secure? Even the most well-intentioned staff members can make a simple mistake that opens your company up to a cybercrime. They can inadvertently jeopardize security by clicking a link, downloading an attachment or being too trusting of an email sender or caller.
That’s what happened to thousands of people in a widespread 2017 cyberattack identified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In that scam, the criminals simply called their victims over the phone and asked, “Can you hear me?”—tricking the person on the other end into saying “yes” into the phone. According to Data Breach Today, the response was recorded and reused as a voice signature in an attempt to make unauthorized charges on personal and business credit card accounts.
Cases like these are good reminders that threats do not always occur from software vulnerabilities. Most business owners are surprised to learn that many breaches happen not from directly hacking into a computer software system but due to human errors like this.
At Bridge Bank, we are committed to maintaining robust cybersecurity practices to help keep private client information private. It all starts with the realization that anyone—from the newest intern to C-level executives—can become a target of digital crime and leave your company exposed.
According to an IBM 2019 Ponemon Cost of Data Breach Study, the average consolidated cost of a data breach is around $3.92 million. Records or data stolen loses money, and the average amount of money lost for each record or piece of information stolen comes to $150. A breach has other costs as well: time and clients. According to the report, the average time a breach takes from identification to containment is 279 days—that’s more than three full quarters of your year. And companies that experience a breach have 3.9% abnormal customer turnover.
In 2018, hacking remained the most common kind of data breach, exposing more than 16 million consumer records, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Hacking accounted for 39% of breaches—down from 59% in 2017. Helping to explain that change, unauthorized access was blamed for 30% of breaches in 2018, vs. 11% in 2017.
But it’s important to note that nearly a quarter of all breaches are a result of human error. So, what can you do to protect your company?
Create a Plan to Protect Your Business
Errors happen, but you can defend yourself against cybercrime by knowing the dangers and implementing best practices to prevent breaches.
The Department of Homeland Security urges all CEOs to ask themselves the following questions:
Cybersecurity Is Everyone’s Responsibility
At Bridge Bank, we advise our clients to understand that cybersecurity is NOT simply implementing a checklist of requirements and expecting to breach-proof your business. A successful strategy should be part of an organization’s governance, risk management and business continuity framework. It also involves employee education and ongoing management of cyber risks.
Above all, regardless of company size, be sure to implement these simple practices to help reduce the risk of cybercrimes at the office and when doing business remotely from mobile devices or home offices:
At Bridge Bank, we work hard to help protect our business clients from cybercrime. With sophisticated fraud protection features built into our products and services for businesses in California, our clients can take a step toward protecting confidential information and prevent breaches.
Bridge Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, helps business clients realize their ambitions. Founded in 2001 in Silicon Valley, Bridge Bank offers a better way to bank for small- to mid-market businesses across many industries, as well as emerging technology companies and the private equity community. Geared to serving both venture-backed and non-venture-backed companies, Bridge Bank delivers a broad scope of financial solutions including capital, equipment and working capital credit facilities, venture debt, treasury management, asset-based lending, SBA and commercial real estate loans, ESOP finance and a full line of international products and services. Based in San Jose, Bridge Bank has 17 offices in major markets across the country along with Western Alliance Bank’s powerful array of specialized financial services. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. One of the country’s top-performing banking companies, Western Alliance is again #1 best-performing of the 50 largest public U.S. banks in the new S&P Global Market Intelligence listing for 2020 and ranks high on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list year after year.
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TwitterOur #LifeSciences Group recently provided a term loan to Adarza Biosystems, developer of the ZIVA platform, a next-generation biomarker discovery and therapeutic research tool. pic.twitter.com/CR160SrQKbAustin’s VC ecosystem topped $2 billion in value for the third year running in 2020. Download our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX, to learn more and read the analysis. bit.ly/3sGCwly - 2 days #Austin #venturecapital pic.twitter.com/75Kk4auvZdJoin us for Markets to Watch: Austin, TX to discover how the Austin VC ecosystem still secured a record $2.3 billion in aggregate value thanks in no small part to the its resilient enterprise tech sector. RSVP by clicking the link: bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 3 days pic.twitter.com/Ml7OkIKMS2Key top-level trends that defined VC deal-making in Austin last year can be found in our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX. The report also contains analysis of Austin’s banner year for exit value creation. Download it now: bit.ly/3sGCwly - 5 days pic.twitter.com/ZQzJ6GiCtwJoin us and PitchBook, along with special guest Silverton Partners to discover key top-level trends that have defined VC deal-making in Austin. RSVP by clicking this link bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 7 days pic.twitter.com/M3ithiqhjjOn April 14, our panel of experts will provide analysis and key insights into Austin’s VC ecosystem, which topped $2 billion in value for the third year running. RSVP now to attend this informative event. bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 1 week 2 days ago #Austin #venturecapital #technology #innovation pic.twitter.com/gzRc4qJELoAustin’s VC ecosystem topped $2 billion in value for the third year running in 2020. Download our report, Markets to Watch: Austin, TX, to learn more and read the analysis. bit.ly/3sGCwly - 2 weeks ago #Austin #venturecapital pic.twitter.com/ltpq7r20P8Join us for Markets to Watch: Austin, TX to discover how the Austin VC ecosystem still secured a record $2.3 billion in aggregate value thanks in no small part to the its resilient enterprise tech sector. RSVP by clicking the link: bit.ly/3rzsUaZ - 2 weeks 1 day ago pic.twitter.com/ztR0lKmyzEOur Technology Banking Group recently provided a venture debt facility and working capital line of credit to Step. To learn more, read their recent press release. step.com/press/step-sur… - about 1 month 1 week ago #bridgebank #step #fintech pic.twitter.com/MzAtQGOTu9We are pleased to announce that we have launched Bridge Bank Gateway, a new digital paying agent platform that simplifies and accelerates complex M&A transactions. Read our recent press release to learn more. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 month 1 week agoWe would like to welcome Alex Tsarnas to the Bridge Bank team. Alex will be leading our newly established banking group, Business Escrow Services. Read our press release to learn more. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 month 3 weeks ago #mergersacquistions #privateequity #bridgebankIn observance of Presidents' Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, February 15. #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/6eMQQeNJipOur team of asset-based lending professionals is growing! Read more about it here: westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 2 months 3 days ago #assetbasedlending #bridgebankOur Life Sciences Group recently provided a Term Loan to Bolder Surgical, a medical device company focused on commercializing mini-laparoscopic surgical devices aimed at improving and enabling laparoscopic procedures for pediatric patients. #lifesciences #medicaldevices pic.twitter.com/hKgRzmVhaZ“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In observance of MLK Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Mon. 1/18. #MLK pic.twitter.com/rBAo4INJXBOur Technology Banking group recently provided a growth capital term loan to Funraise, a software company that provides a state-of-the-art fundraising platform, saving nonprofit organizations time and resources spent on data management. pic.twitter.com/StETyssfLeOur #Technology Banking group recently provided a credit facility to @DrinkHealthAde, an organic beverage company. To learn more details, read our press release. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 4 months 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/0eWWI16N08Our Technology Banking Group at Bridge Bank recently provided a credit facility to CloudBolt Software, an enterprise leader in cloud management and integration solutions. Visit westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 4 months 3 weeks ago to learn more details. pic.twitter.com/8fzjGbAL6BWe honor all of the veterans who have served our country. Thank you. #HappyVeteransDay REMINDER: In observance of Veterans Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11. pic.twitter.com/IfoGP8ecCAWe would like to welcome Jon Berry to the Bridge Bank team! Jon supports our Technology Banking group and will be based in Austin. Read our press release to learn more. #technology #banking #Austin #Texas westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 5 months 6 days agoIn observance of Columbus Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, October 12. pic.twitter.com/BtX52D5RTPWe wish everyone a safe and relaxing #LaborDay holiday weekend. REMINDER: In observance of Labor Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Monday, September pic.twitter.com/09SIuoO7XGOur Technology Banking Group recently provided MIVA, an #ecommerce #software and service provider, with a credit facility. Read our press release to learn more: westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 7 months 2 weeks ago #technologybanking pic.twitter.com/OUj49RdD5VOur Life Sciences Group is pleased to announce an upsized term loan for Fennec Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of PEDMARK™ (a unique formulation of Sodium Thiosulfate) for the prevention of ototoxicity from cisplatin in pediatric patients. pic.twitter.com/zrH2JslA27Stay safe as you celebrate #IndependenceDay. REMINDER: In observance of Independence Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Friday, July 3.” pic.twitter.com/EFLG0KJ3u5Our Technology Banking Group is pleased to announce that they have recently provided a credit facility to aPriori Technologies, a leading provider of design for manufacturability and cost (#DFM/DTC) solutions. #computersoftware #technology #banking pic.twitter.com/PuTYcnKMttLast chance to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg & SJ Deputy City Manager, Kim Walesh Register now! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 10 months 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/sqxWOiCvsZThis Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving our country. REMINDER: In observance of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25. pic.twitter.com/Ae97NsXsDaThere’s still time to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 10 months 4 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/TWo0MiGjijJoin us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 11 months 1 day ago pic.twitter.com/pdtYAF2XrDBridge Bank’s #LifeSciences Group is proud to partner with iCAD, a global #medical #technology leader providing #innovative cancer detection and therapy solutions. bridgebank.com/lifesciences - about 11 months 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/oPIrnYlOTjWe’re proud to sponsor Venture Summit | Virtual Connect May 5th - 7th! #startups #venturecapitalCongratulations, @ArcturusRx on your big announcement and the accomplishments you and your team are achieving as you work on a vaccine for COVID-19. #COVID19 #coronavirus #vaccines #LifeSciences ir.arcturusrx.com/news-releases/… - about 1 year 1 day agoOur #LifeSciences team is proud to provide Valencell, a company that transforms the science of wearable #biometrics to enable impactful #health outcomes, with the creative #bankingsolutions they needed. pic.twitter.com/XCmNJpaVuvOrganizations of any size are at risk of data breaches or other types of #cybercrime, but you can defend yourself against #fraud by knowing the dangers and implementing best practices whether you’re #WFH or the office. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 year 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/bzKAaLYRGPLearn more about the several key initiatives we’re focused on right now. #WeAreInThisTogether #covid19 #CoronaVirus westernalliancebancorporation.com/~/media/pdfs/b… - about 1 year 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/ssOjI7DGnXCybercriminals are using concerns about COVID-19 to perpetrate scams – learn how to defend your organization against these scams and best practices to keep your business safe. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity #fraud #cybercrime #fraudprevention #WFH westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 1 year 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/kZo07GPhVvBridge Bank is a proud sponsor of #FVCC2020, Florida’s largest statewide #VentureCapital Conference. pic.twitter.com/9l2lOPceVR