Cybersecurity

What are the biggest online cybersecurity risks I personally should worry about?

The biggest cybersecurity risks for most individuals are phishing emails, fake texts, account takeovers, and malware on personal devices. As a wealth advisory client, your highest risks are someone gaining access to your email, using that to impersonate you with your advisor or custodian, and attempting to move money or steal sensitive financial information.

How can I tell if an email or text from my financial advisor is actually real?

Check three things: the sender's address or phone number, the type of request, and whether there are unexpected links or attachments. A real message from our firm comes from our official domain, uses your correct name, and never pressures you to act immediately on money movement by clicking a link. If a message asks for passwords, one-time codes, or unexpected wire/ACH approvals, stop and call our office using a known phone number first.

What simple steps can I take at home to improve my cybersecurity?

Use a reputable password manager, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email and financial accounts, keep your devices updated, and secure your home Wi-Fi with a strong password. A password manager creates and stores unique passwords for every site. MFA adds a second layer so attackers can't access accounts even if they steal your password.

What should I do immediately if I click a suspicious link or share information with a scammer?

Disconnect the device from the internet, change your passwords (starting with email and banking accounts), and turn on MFA. Then contact your financial institutions and advisor to alert them. Run a security scan on your device and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit bureaus if you shared personal identifying information like your Social Security number.

How do my financial advisor and custodians work together to prevent fraud?

Your accounts are protected with strong encryption, secure login, and multi-factor authentication. Operationally, there are strict procedures around money movement, including call-backs and verification of new bank instructions. Our firm confirms any unexpected distribution or wire request using a direct phone call to a known number before approving it.

What are the biggest cybersecurity threats for individuals and small businesses in Nashville?

The biggest threats are phishing emails, business email compromise, ransomware, and attacks on third-party systems that hold local data. Local incidents show criminals target the weakest link: an employee's email, poorly protected login, or unpatched system. For individuals and small businesses, the most realistic risks are stolen credentials, fraudulent money-movement requests, and disruption from compromised vendors.

How can Nashville small businesses improve cybersecurity on a limited budget?

Enforce strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, train staff to recognize phishing and fake invoices, keep software and devices updated, and use a reputable backup solution. Local managed service providers offer bundled monitoring, endpoint protection, and response services specifically tailored for Nashville-area small and midsized businesses without full-time IT security teams.

What cybersecurity questions should Nashville business owners ask their IT provider?

Ask: What tools detect and stop attacks? How are you protecting our customer and employee data? What third-party vendors and cloud tools do we rely on? What's our incident response plan for ransomware or breach? What compliance requirements apply to our industry, and how are you helping us meet them?

How do recent cyberattacks in Tennessee affect Nashville businesses and families?

When a school system, vendor, or service provider is hacked, attackers may access personal information and login credentials reused in targeted scams. For Nashville and Williamson County residents, this means using unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying alert to unexpected emails or texts referencing local institutions.

How can I evaluate a local cybersecurity or IT provider in Nashville?

Ask about their experience with similar businesses, certifications, and specific security tools. Request clear explanations of how they handle ransomware, phishing, and data recovery. Understand how they protect your data in the cloud, vet their own vendors, and get references from other Nashville or Franklin clients they serve.