When you go to open EVE tomorrow morning, will it open? Or has your security failed you?

We service our gear, analyze breathing gas and do buddy checks, but we take for granted that the computers in our shops will work.  

In the past month we have had several tickets into the queue where customers have been hacked and have lost files, in one case at least an entire EVE system as the result of a cryptoware virus.

The Team at EVE reached out to international Cyber-Security expert, Mr. Simon Perry, for some insights into threats and steps you can take to protect yourself from them.

Simon shares that at this point in time the three biggest threats to small business are:

• "Cryptoware viruses which use sophosticated encryption technology to block access to your files.  Payments demanded to unencrypt the files can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars."
• "Phishing scams.  Modern scams look incredibly realistic as though coming from bank, credit card  or utility companies.  Like cryptoware viruses they come in as emails."
• " Apathy.  Companies need to assume the worst and defend themselves regardless. Do everything to protect yourself but assume one day you'll get hit. "

Simon goes on to say, "The important thing is to know what you'll do when you do get hacked.  Small companies that have to shutter for a week or two at prime season often then fail."  

With help from Simon we have compiled a list of some things you can do to protect your dive centre.

Protect your data

1. Simon's suggests, first and foremost, "Back-up, backup and backup."  Then store the backups off site.   Backups done to flash drives and other PC's in the shop that share the internal network are vulnerable.  If one PC is infected it is likely they all will be.
2. Staff awareness is key.  If you do not recognize the sender of the email do not open it - ever.  

Protect your network

1.  Install  Antivirus (AV) software and run regular scans on all PC's.   Also, keep your AV 'signatures' up to date.  AV developers publish signature files to counter new viruses.  
2. Keep your operating system up to date.  Microsoft offers automatic updates, many of which apply to security.
3. If you are running Vista or XP computers on your network- stop.  They are not PCI complaint and one such computer on a network renders the entire network vulnerable to hacking  and not PCI complaint.
4. Ensure that your network is securely password protected.
5. Do not access public networks with tablets and phones which can then access your company network.  A virus picked up in the coffee shop or mall can be transferred to your network in the shop.
6. If you only need one PC in your shop, have a second PC or laptop available at all times with EVE installed, but not connected to the internal network.  In case of a computer failure or hack you can restore your backed-up database to the backup PC and keep the doors open.

Depending upon your level of internal network and data security, you may wish to consider EVE hosting of your data.  EVE hosting provides database management on our servers outside your network.  Your data is stored behind a secure VPN firewall with scheduled and accessible backups.    

For more information on things you can do to protect your environment, on EVE Hosting of your data,  or a complete copy of Simon's notes, contact EVE via email at support@issys.co.uk and we will be glad to help you out.

Regards from EVE Support Team