Social Media Compliance Risks and Cybersecurity Threats

Nearly everyone is aware of the fact that using social media for business networking is expanding rapidly. Social media is used by companies all over the world to connect with clients and potential workers, gather market data, and improve marketing initiatives.

Social media also raises some severe compliance issues, and businesses who don't appropriately address those risks run the danger of losing clients, business, cash, and goodwill in the marketplace.

While many businesses may be ignorant of the social media compliance hazards, the use of social media by these businesses does provide certain cyber security services challenges.

What are the most common social media compliance risk factors?

Human errors

Human error is said to be responsible for 88% of all data breaches. Although human mistake is unavoidable, it becomes problematic when it has negative effects on cybersecurity. Because they are ignorant that they are doing anything wrong, employees routinely commit blunders.

People that use social media to engage with potential clients, find new business partners, or find employees may have private and sensitive information in their message inboxes, mail history, etc. And it is crucial that they take care in handling and processing this data.

Phishing attacks

Phishing via social media has been on the rise while phishing emails have grown mainstream. While some attacks aim to steal information, others will attempt to steal money from the organisation by persuading staff to reveal sensitive information or make unnecessary purchases.

Weak passwords

For both personal and work-related social media accounts, many employees continue to utilise passwords that are simple to guess. Due to the apparent lesser danger, users could believe they don't need a strong password for these accounts. However, for people who could use social media for client connections, job searches, etc., adopting secure passwords for Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Instagram accounts is crucial.

How to mitigate social media compliance & cybersecurity risks? 

Companies must take action to lower the risk of human error, phishing attempts, weak passwords, and other issues given the myriad compliance concerns associated with social media usage.

The following four recommendations can help to reduce cybersecurity and social media compliance risks:

Create social media policies that outline expectations

A social media policy for your business is essential. This policy should serve as a guide for best practices if your business and workers utilise social media for business. A strong social media cybersecurity policy may help to lower the possibility of cybersecurity breaches, bad press, and legal issues.

If you don't know where to begin or how, you can think about using a Virtual Cyber Assistant service, which can guide you through the process quickly and affordably.

Social media policies give staff instructions on how to use social media, prevent mistakes, and guarantee that the business is following social media platform usage guidelines.

You should mention copyright, privacy, and brand rules in your social media posts. Social media may be a fantastic tool for connecting with clients and coworkers, but it is essential to establish guidelines for how to use it professionally and how to avoid common mistakes.

Implement multi-factor authentication

There is a straightforward fix that can be applied to all social media accounts to greatly raise their level of safety. There are currently multi-factor authentication options available on all main social networks (MFA). You are effectively prompted for an additional form of identity when you attempt to log in.

Services for verifying credentials are available in many different formats. The user's mobile device would get a passcode, they would input another passcode, or their biometric data would be verified.

Data breaches can be prevented with MFA, and it can also defend against social engineering assaults.

Use an enterprise-grade social media archiving solution 

A growing number of business owners are concerned about the potential repercussions of social media breaches. Infractions can lead to fines and penalties as well as damage to one's reputation.

Social media evidence may be extremely beneficial in court, possibly costing firms a fortune in fines and harming their reputation.

Businesses can avoid these results by adopting measures to lower the risk of non-compliance with social media rules. Social media archiving software is a useful tool for reducing such risks even though social media compliance issues cannot be completely eradicated.

Educate your employees

The need to inform employees about the dangers of using social media is one of the biggest obstacles businesses have when it comes to social media compliance.

Employers must make it clear to employees that cybersecurity is everyone's concern, not just theirs, as employees frequently wrongly feel they don't need to take safeguards against cyber attacks.

It is essential to give employees proper cybersecurity training. You might also think about enrolling some of your IT and Incident Response team's key players in a compliance and governance programme that will better prepare them to comprehend and abide by cybersecurity standards and laws that don't just apply to social media.

Social media safety training is necessary for employees. Employees who receive adequate training may be warned of potential risks and given the information and abilities necessary to address issues when they arise.

Conclusion:

Use of social media offers many advantages, but it also carries many risks. By using suitable social media compliance practices and an enterprise-grade social media archiving solution, such risks can be reduced.

You may prevent a myriad of possible cybersecurity and data privacy issues, safeguard your brand, and increase your bottom line by tackling social media compliance concerns.