Many organizations that were previously analog-only and brick-and-mortar first have found themselves digitizing more and more as technologies and business needs change. This digitization helps the business grow and thrive, but it also widens an attack surface and creates new cyber threats that weren’t previously present. Many organizations in this position find themselves behind the curve when it comes to cybersecurity, IT staffing, and proactive security measures. They are innovating when it comes to their business model, but struggling to stay ahead when it comes securing and expanding their IT environment. Scott Equipment is a perfect example of that kind of organization. The construction equipment company has been providing the best heavy-duty construction equipment, working with world-class manufacturers, and providing equipment servicing since before cyber threats were a common problem. But as Scott Equipment has grown over the decades, so has their digital footprint. Now the company relies just as much on emails, networks, and digital assets as it does bulldozers and cranes. Keeping their networks and IT systems protected is now as critical for their business continuity as their ability to provide great equipment and customer service. But with a lean IT team, the organization has not been able to meet the security demands of a changing business landscape. Five years ago, Scott did not have multi-factor authentication for their Microsoft Office accounts. That oversight resulted in accounts being compromised through phishing attacks. For the small IT team, it was a lot to clean up and a major wake-up call about their cybersecurity and lack of control. They immediately implemented new security measures, including MFA, and started re-prioritizing security efforts. But as that incident lived in their memory, another threat started looming on the horizon: ransomware.
Read More
