Stations Urged to Tighten Cybersecurity Practices

- Feds Issue Caution on Russia Terrorism

The White House is encouraging all U.S. businesses, including broadcasters, to tighten their online defenses in anticipation that Russia will begin launching cyberterrorist attacks here as its war on Ukraine intensifies. 

The federal government is continuing its efforts to provide resources and tools to the private sector through the Shields Up campaign conducted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Companies are urged to take the following steps immediately:

• Mandate the use of multi-factor authentication on your systems to make it harder for attackers to get onto your system.
• Deploy modern security tools on your computers and devices to continuously look for and mitigate threats.
• Check with your cybersecurity professionals to make sure that your systems are patched and protected against all known vulnerabilities and change passwords across your networks so that previously stolen credentials are useless to malicious actors.
• Back up your data and ensure you have offline backups beyond the reach of malicious actors.
• Run exercises and drill your emergency plans so that you are prepared to respond quickly to minimize the impact of any attack.
• Encrypt your data so it cannot be used if it is stolen.
• Educate your employees to common tactics that attackers will use over email or through websites and encourage them to report if their computers or phones have shown unusual behavior, such as unusual crashes or operating very slowly.
• Engage proactively with your local FBI field office or CISA Regional Office to establish relationships in advance of any cyber incidents. 

NAB Podcast: Quick Tips for Cybersecurity 
Following the government warning, Kelly Williams, VP of Engineering and Technology Policy of the National Association of Broadcasters, packaged timely advice for broadcasters regarding the security of their broadcast infrastructure into this 15-minute podcast. 

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.