Marketing is at the core of most businesses, regardless of the sector you work in or the size of your organisation. The division is responsible for enhancing the brand image, communicating the proper company ethos, and advancing core company values. Client ties and business alliances are fostered by marketing. It makes information available, and it distinguishes businesses. Companies depend on their marketing staff and require them. As malevolent behaviour and a single cyberattack can quickly undo all this work, it is worthwhile to invest some time preventing it.

Data privacy concerns among consumers are not new, and marketing has long been a subject of these worries. 85% of consumers, according to PwC statistics, wish there were more businesses they could trust with their data. That is a startling figure, and it is directly related to a rise in connectivity and data accessibility. Marketers are in a great position to offer more control and a personalised customer experience to both current and potential customers. A knowledge of cyber threats and how they relate to privacy should be part of that experience. One bad customer experience from a cybersecurity incident could devastate your brand’s identity and trust, affecting public opinion.

Threats Posed by Cyberattacks

Cybersecurity has historically been a concern for C-suite IT executives, CISOs, and CTOs. Time is of the essence right now. CMOs and marketing teams should play a more active role and be ready to find a balance between security, privacy, and the consumer experience as 5G and digital transformation projects take centre stage. The place to begin is here. If you’re unaware of the extent of the harm done, allow us to explain what the marketers have to lose:

Social Accounts are being hacked

Every business has a social media presence online. No matter how many platforms they utilise—LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram—they use each as a means of communication with their global audience. The marketing team puts a lot of effort into creating a social media channel plan. Even with all the work put into the communication line, the operation would collapse if their accounts were compromised.

PR crisis

One data breach is all it takes for the organisation’s reputation to completely collapse.46% of firms had experienced reputational and brand value loss due to a breach, according to Forbes’ The Reputational Effect of IT Risk research. 19% of businesses experienced reputational and brand damage due to an IT software glitch or third-party security breach.

Data Breach

The data leak is unpredictable since it is challenging to determine which portion of the data was accessed once it occurred. Customer information, business trade secrets, and any other confidential data may be used by hackers for surveillance or sold to third-party data aggregators. As a result, both potential customers and the current client base will become less trusting.

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So, what can marketers do to lessen their vulnerability to cyberattacks? Here are some important strategies that can be employed by marketers for better protection against cyberattacks: –

1. Honour the officials

Ensure you adhere to the necessary GDPR data standards and meet security compliance. Marketers must know the information they collect, why and how they use it, and how long they intend to keep it to comply with the GDPR.

2. Implement company-wide password policies

An effective password policy is a list of instructions for developing passwords that prevent data theft. Make careful to be specific about the systems to which the regulations apply and the specifics of how the strategy will be implemented. Verify that password policies are routinely maintained, updated, and assessed.

3. Inform people about phishing

Ensure that everyone in the company receives security training, particularly in phishing attack recognition. Best practices for system security and what to do in the event of an attack should be known to everyone.

4. Provide remote workers with cybersecurity tools

Following the pandemic, the majority of the workforce is working remotely. Teach your remote employees how to update and safeguard their devices regularly. When doing so, ensure that your marketing team only uses a reliable, secure WIFI and is vigilant about protecting sensitive information when sharing communal or shared living spaces.

Marketers should contribute to communicating their organisation’s commitment to data and communications security as new digital initiatives foster organisational creativity. Although security and marketing are two separate departments, they should collaborate to develop brand equity and trust rather than operating in isolation. One successful cyberattack is all it takes to knock all marketing efforts to a halt. Keep in mind that cyberattacks might occur at any time. It is crucial to be aware of your information on file, where it is kept, how it is accessible, and the security measures used to keep it safe. A corporation can attract hackers more quickly the more data it possesses.

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