Undeniably, cybersecurity has become one of the top priorities for businesses in this day and age. According to the McKinsey report on cybersecurity trends, with the rise of cyberattacks evolving into sophisticated forms, $101.5 billion is expected to spend on the field by 2025.
Despite growing expenditure on security measures, you may have yet to give much thought to cybersecurity as a designer. However, cybercrime doesn’t discriminate between industries. In addition, their target scope greatly varies from large to small businesses, even individuals. That’s why securing your digital assets is more important than you think.
Risks can range from hackers stealing your designs and personal information to compromising your client’s business information. Nevertheless, the list doesn’t end here. There is still more to the challenges you might encounter.
Cybersecurity Challenges Designers Encounter
Working in a digital landscape, it’s no surprise that designers face several unique challenges regarding cybersecurity:
- Data maintenance. As a designer, you often collaborate with multiple parties. These parties include your clients, freelancers you work with, and vendors. Since you interact with others frequently, controlling the data you share becomes challenging.
- Creative freedom and security. Surely, you need access to a wide range of design tools and software to put that creative flow to work. But, many of these tools are often not designed with security in mind.
- Sensitive information flow. From client data to proprietary designs, as a designer, you often work with information valuable to cybercriminals. This is why they will likely target you instead of someone else.
- Network and device safety. When you work from home or anywhere other than an office, the chance of getting caught in a cyber fire increases. That means if you use a personal device or unsecured networks while working, you are giving hackers an easier time as your working conditions are highly exploitable.
4 Ways to Battle Against Cybersecurity Risks
Now that you know the risks, it’s time to take the necessary precautions. Here are four valuable tips for you to easily dodge a cyber hijack.
1. Use strong passwords.
Creating strong passwords is the oldest trick in the book. Yet, It is the first line of defense against hackers. Use a small portion of your creative flow to create passwords that are not easily guessable. Try combining letters, numbers, and symbols in your passwords.
Make sure to assign different passwords for each account. Using separate passwords will make a hacker’s job harder than you imagine. Here, password managers come in handy. They can effectively store your passwords and even generate strong ones for you.
2. Keep your software up to date.
Regularly updating your operating system, design software, and other applications to the latest version is essential. Usually, these updates include some security patches which will help you securely preserve your work.
Up-to-date tools can significantly help keep any known vulnerabilities or relentless hackers out of your hair.
3. Be cautious of phishing emails.
Cybercriminals use a technique called phishing that you should watch out for. In a nutshell, they send out emails to trick you into giving away your personal information or downloading malware.
Therefore you should be cautious of emails from unknown senders. Always check the sender and ensure the address belongs to a legitimate business or person. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments as long as you are sure they are safe.
4. Use cloud storage
You wouldn’t want to throw a design you spent hours on the street. Therefore, it’s very important where you keep your work. Storing your designs and other digital assets on the cloud is a great way to protect them.
When choosing a cloud, aim for encrypted storage with strong security measures. This way, you can have a piece of mind knowing your designs are safe even if your computer is compromised.
In Conclusion
Challenges and risks make it essential for all designers to prioritize cybersecurity. You can create and collaborate safely by proactively protecting your digital assets and sensitive information.
Cover Photo by Antoni Shkraba
