Hey, it’s Jeremy from Ochsner Insurance with your Cyber Monday. This might make some people angry! Today, we’re diving into something that’s been making waves recently: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and how they could potentially impact critical infrastructure, including elections.
The Microsoft Azure Outage
Recently, Microsoft confirmed that a DDoS attack led to an outage on their Azure platform, causing parts of the service to be down for over eight hours. This was a significant disruption, affecting many businesses that rely on Azure for their operations.
The FBI and CISA’s Warning
On the same day as the Microsoft outage, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning about potential DDoS attacks targeting election infrastructure. According to their statement, these attacks could hinder public access to election information but should not impact the security or integrity of the election process itself.
A Closer Look at Election Security
Now, here’s where things get a bit concerning. If a massive tech company like Microsoft can be disrupted by a DDoS attack, how confident can we be that election infrastructure—often less sophisticated—can withstand similar attacks? The agencies assure us that the integrity of the election won’t be compromised, but they haven’t provided much detail on why they’re so confident.
This raises questions: Are these public-facing websites that provide election information at risk of being slowed down or even rendered unusable? And if so, how prepared are we to ensure that the actual voting process remains unaffected?
The Importance of Early Voting
Given these concerns, my advice is simple: vote early. No matter who you support or what level of government you’re voting for—be it Presidential, Senate, State, or County elections—casting your vote early could help ensure that your voice is heard, especially if unforeseen cyber disruptions occur.
What This Means for Your Business
For businesses, these events highlight the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures. If Microsoft can be targeted, so can your business. Here are a few steps to take:
- Understand DDoS Attacks
- Know what DDoS attacks are and how they can affect your operations.
- Ensure you have defenses in place to mitigate these attacks.
- Implement Cybersecurity Best Practices
- Work with your internal IT team or a Managed Services Provider (MSP) to ensure your systems are secure.
- Regularly review and update your cybersecurity protocols.
- Secure a Broad Form Cyber Insurance Policy
- Make sure you’re covered with a comprehensive cyber insurance policy that protects against a wide range of cyber threats.
- Have a business continuity plan in place to minimize downtime and financial losses if an attack occurs.
Conclusion
As someone who studies cybersecurity and cyber insurance, I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay vigilant. The Microsoft outage and the FBI/CISA warning serve as a reminder that no one is immune to cyber threats. Whether it’s your business operations or something as critical as the election process, preparation and protection are key.
If you’re a business owner and you’re unsure about your cybersecurity measures or whether you have adequate cyber insurance, give us a call at Ochsner Insurance 775-657-6050 or fill out this quick form. We’re here to help you stay cyber secure with the right solutions tailored to your needs.
And remember, vote early, stay informed, and make sure your voice counts. Here’s to your success and your cybersecurity. Have a great day!
Jeremy Ochsner
Ochsner Insurance
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance with your cybersecurity needs. Stay informed, stay protected, and let’s make your business more cyber secure.