Proactive Cybersecurity: What Is It & How to Do It

Cybersecurity threats can be difficult to grasp. They aren’t like other threats—they don’t have a physical, real-world presence; they only exist digitally. Maybe that’s why businesses may find themselves mentally downplaying the danger and damage they can cause.

There are bears in the woods, so you hike with bear spray. There are harmful bacteria on surfaces, so you wash your hands. We feel those threats. 

Cyberattacks are more of a conceptual threat. Perhaps us modern humans just haven’t evolved to perceive the weight of such dangers. 

But that’s why proactive cybersecurity is so important. Even though they can do significant harm, it’s far too easy to neglect and mentally downplay the consequences of cyberattacks. 

We might hear alot about attacks on American companies, but cybersecurity in Canada is equally important: According to CTV National News, 2023 was Canada’s worst year for cyberattacks.

That’s why it’s so important to make the mental shift and become proactive. Cyberattacks aren’t just imaginary monsters under the bed, and they aren’t just affecting other countries. They are a looming threat, and a huge source of potential frustration to every Canadian business.

What Is Proactive Security

Proactive cybersecurity is about prevention, not just reaction. Traditional cybersecurity kicks in after an attack, but proactive security works behind the scenes, scanning for vulnerabilities and patching them up before they become downtime disasters.

Instead of waiting for an attack to happen, you search out weaknesses and gather up your defenses before trouble hits. It’s digital bear spray—being prepared, just in case.

The Result: Fewer surprises, better business continuity, and a more secure, reliable digital environment. 

If you want to have the best cybersecurity in Canada, begin with proactive security. It's your first step toward protecting your company and begins by conducting a cybersecurity risk assessment.

5 Steps to Conducting a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Taking proactive measures starts with understanding your vulnerabilities. A cybersecurity risk assessment helps identify weak spots before they’re exploited, giving you a chance to put defences in place. Here’s how to conduct one:

Step 1: Identify Critical Assets

Start by mapping out your most valuable digital assets: IT infrastructure, customer data, proprietary information, SaaS solutions, operational systems. Then consider these questions: 

• Which assets, if compromised, would cause the most financial damage?
• Are there any regulatory requirements associated with certain data?
• What assets are essential for day-to-day operations versus long-term business goals?
• Are any assets shared with third parties or partners?

These are the crown jewels that need the most protection. It’s important to know where they are stored and how they are used. 

Step 2: Pinpoint Potential Threats

Consider both external threats (like hackers or malware) and internal risks (such as employee errors or system misconfigurations). 

• Where are the potential vulnerabilities?
• What are the most likely entry points for attackers? 
• Which systems are most critical? 
• How could an attack impact your critical assets? 
• Is there certain information that is more vital and important for operations?
• Which information is backed up? How often? Are those backups secure?
• Are there any industry-specific threats you need to consider? 
• How are employees potentially contributing to vulnerabilities (e.g., weak passwords, risky browsing habits)?
• Are you aware of any past attacks on your industry or similar organizations?

Step 3: Assess Current Security Measures

Look for any gaps that might leave you vulnerable. There are lots of questions to consider and take stock of your existing defenses. These will help get you started:

• Are all your critical assets protected? 
• Do you have defenses against the most common/likely potential threats? 
• Are your systems updated? 
• Is your team trained on security protocols? 
• Are firewalls and antiviruses in place? Are they properly configured?
• Is multi-factor authentication (MFA) implemented for sensitive systems and data?
• Do you have incident response plans in place? Are they regularly tested?
• Are there any third-party systems or vendors with access to your network?
• How often do you conduct security audits? Are they comprehensive enough?
• Is there a process for managing and revoking access for departing employees or partners?

Step 4: Evaluate Potential Impact

What happens if a breach occurs? Not all risks are equal. Rank vulnerabilities by the severity of their potential impact. 

Assess how a cyberattack could affect your business—whether through financial loss, reputational damage, downtime, or legal consequences. Knowing the potential impact will direct the use of your budget and tell you where to best position your defences.

Step 5: Implementing Security Controls

Once you’ve identified vulnerabilities and assessed their impact, it’s time to take action. Prioritize the most critical gaps and implement security controls to protect your assets. Start with the areas that pose the greatest risk, and gradually build up a layered defense strategy.

There are many potential steps to take, but key actions include:

• Strengthening Access Controls: Limit access to sensitive data and systems, ensuring only authorized personnel can reach critical assets.
• Automating Security Updates: Ensure all software, systems, and devices are regularly updated with the latest patches and security features.
• Monitoring and Incident Response Plans: Continuously monitor for suspicious activity and ensure your incident response plan is ready to go at a moment’s notice.
• Security awareness training: Educate all staff on password management, mobile device usage, and phishing awareness.
• Web filtering: Block access to dangerous or inappropriate websites.
• Perimeter defenses: Use firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to monitor network borders.
• Least privilege access: Limit user access to only the data necessary for their role.
• Full-disk encryption: Ensure data on devices is unreadable if lost or stolen.
• VPNs: Encrypt data transmitted over unsecured networks to prevent interception.
• Strict access controls: Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and auto logouts for idle users.
• AI-powered network monitoring: Detects unusual activity and unauthorized access attempts.
• Phishing simulations: Regularly test staff with mock phishing emails to increase awareness. 
• Backup and disaster recovery plans: Regularly backup critical data and have a recovery plan for system failures or breaches.

By systematically implementing these controls, you’ll be better prepared to prevent breaches and minimize damage when one occurs. Proactive steps now lead to long-term peace of mind.

Internal Vulnerabilities: The Human Factor

No matter how strong your cybersecurity defenses are, your staff remains a potential vulnerability. Human error is one of the leading causes of security breaches—whether through phishing scams, weak passwords, or accidental exposure of sensitive data (9 out of 10 of the ‘most disruptive’ cyber breaches were caused by human error).

That’s why a comprehensive approach to proactive cybersecurity in Canada—or anywhere on earth—must include your employees.

TLC’s cybersecurity staff training programs are designed to equip your team with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize and avoid cyber threats. Regular training on best practices like identifying phishing emails, securing passwords, and following safe browsing habits can significantly reduce the risk of internal vulnerabilities.

How to VERIFY Suspicious Emails

Phishing emails are one of the most common ways cybercriminals attempt to breach your security. To help your team stay vigilant, follow the VERIFY method for spotting suspicious emails:

V — Verify the Sender’s Email

The name may look familiar, but the email address could be slightly different. Check both the username and domain carefully—just one incorrect character can signal a phishing attempt.

E — Examine the Email Contents

Is the email addressed generically? Are there grammar or spelling errors? Does the sender’s name match the email? Watch for signs like urgent requests, demands for personal information, or changes to financial details.

R — Reach Out Directly

DON’T hit reply. Instead, use the contact information you already have on file to reach out to the person or company directly. A phone call or a separate email will confirm if the request is legitimate.

I — Inspect the Links

Before clicking on any link, hover your mouse over it to reveal the actual URL. If the link doesn’t match the email content or looks suspicious, don’t click it.

F — Filter and Block

Report any suspicious emails to your system administrator or IT team. The more phishing attempts that are flagged, the better your organization’s defenses will be.

Y — Yeet to the Trash

When in doubt, throw it out. Trust your instincts. If anything seems off, delete the email immediately. Better safe than sorry!By teaching your team to VERIFY each email, you can greatly reduce the chances of falling for phishing attacks.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity threats might feel distant and abstract, but the damage they can cause is very real—it’s time to shift to a proactive mindset. 

We’re here to help you take the critical first step toward proactive cybersecurity. TLC puts business tech experts on your side! 

We help you delete the uncertainty and stress and download some Technolojoy. 

Contact TLC today to discuss how we can help you conduct a risk assessment, implement security controls, or provide staff training. Together, we’ll ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.