6 key strategies to safeguard against cyberattacks in hybrid work

 

With over 5.56 billion internet users projected by 2025, according to the We Are Social Global Report, cybersecurity has become a global priority.

In Colombia, where 77.3% of the population is online, digital risks are increasing sharply. In response to this, Palo Alto Networks shares 7 key recommendations to help businesses and users navigate securely and prevent cyberattacks.

 

1. Verify Payment Methods.

Digital commerce has made access to goods and services easier but has also opened new doors for cybercriminals. Transactions processed without properly verifying payment methods can result in significant financial losses.

Germán Rincón, Country Manager for Colombia at Palo Alto Networks, states:

 

“What we often see are transactions processed without proper validation of funds, such as payments made through unverified digital methods, where the transaction is completed without ensuring the security of the payment medium. This can be exploited by cybercriminals, leading to substantial financial losses.”

2. Separate Personal Devices from Work Devices.

Ransomware prevention starts with a basic practice: not mixing personal and professional use on work devices. Organizations must raise awareness among employees about the risks of using corporate equipment for personal activities like online shopping, which could compromise the company network.

Mismanagement of credentials, such as storing personal and work passwords in the same repository, also increases exposure. According to the company, the growing size and frequency of ransom demands from attackers indicate that no company, regardless of its size, is immune to risks.

3. A Password-Free Future.

Although secure passwords have traditionally been the standard method for protecting information, their effectiveness is increasingly in doubt. Since 2022, Palo Alto Networks has highlighted the gradual replacement of passwords with more robust methods, such as biometrics.

The ease with which cybercriminals can guess weak passwords, combined with users’ tendency to create simple ones, has raised concerns about their usefulness as the sole protective barrier.

4. Antivirus and Regular Updates.

Proactive monitoring and the use of technological tools allow companies to stay ahead of cyberattacks. Adopting these technologies helps safeguard both internal data and customer information.

For individual users, it is vital to keep antivirus systems up to date and follow the recommendations provided by these platforms. Staying informed about the latest threat research enables the identification and prevention of potential attacks.

5. Measures Against Phishing.

Companies must anticipate risks by implementing security protocols that include regular updates and monitoring of suspicious activities. This ensures the integrity of systems exposed to the internet and reduces vulnerability to phishing attacks.

6. Continuous Cybersecurity Training.

Effective protection also depends on people. Regularly training employees and fostering a cybersecurity-focused organizational culture is essential for reducing human errors and ensuring an appropriate response in case of incidents.

Solutions for the Future of Work.

The company also highlights the role of its Prisma Access solution, designed for corporate environments operating in hybrid models.

These tools enable adaptation to the dynamic nature of today’s work, where employees connect from various locations, and where threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

According to company data, through the Prisma Enterprise Browser, it is possible to identify up to 2.3 million new threats daily, prevent over 270,000 malicious files, and block up to 347,000 dangerous URLs.