Computer networks are an integral part of almost all modern businesses. No matter what industry you work in, chances are that the success of your business and almost all day-to-day operations rely on computer or internet access – whether it’s to store data, interact with clients, or it’s used other applications. This is particularly true as more and more companies shift towards remote working environments for many or all positions. Computers and network access are more important than ever for a business to operate and thrive.
Because of this dependency on technology, it’s more important than ever before for businesses to ensure that their computer and network setup is insulated and protected against possible threats and malicious actors. From compromising your company’s data to interfering with customers using your website, the consequences of poor cybersecurity can range from simply embarrassing or damaging your company’s reputation to severely affecting your revenue and customer engagement.
Fortunately, as long as you are able to enact and follow a few basic cybersecurity policies, you should be able to protect your network setup against cyber attacks with much greater success. While these tips are no replacement for having a cybersecurity team or expert on staff, you can avoid the basic pitfalls and glaring security risks by just making sure you and your company adhere to a few basic security principles. With that in mind, here are six cybersecurity tips that every business should follow.
Understand Your Risk
First and foremost, it’s incredibly important that you know where your current cybersecurity policies and setup stands in terms of how effective it is. You can do this by hiring a firm to conduct a security risk assessment. This will tell you where the weaknesses if there are any, are in your cybersecurity setup. It’ll also show you how you can improve your cybersecurity, and where you need to invest more time and energy to improve your cybersecurity policies.
Cybersecurity risk assessments are particularly important if your company deals with sensitive data or information, or relies heavily on having an online presence to conduct your business. While it may seem like any glaring security risks would be self-evident, it can be easy to overlook potential holes in your own setup. Maybe your current setup is extremely vulnerable to a single system failure, or your policies have an obvious weakness that a hostile actor could exploit to attack your company. By making sure you get your cybersecurity policies and setup checked and assessed regularly, you’ll be able to have some peace of mind, assured in the knowledge that your company is safe.
Provide Employee Training
Aside from getting regular security risk assessments, another important part of cybersecurity for any company is the company’s own policies. While employees generally don’t try to compromise the security of their business, many people can accidentally leave their company open to security holes and potential cyberattacks without even knowing it. By providing a resource for the employees on appropriate measures to avoid and prevent cybersecurity risks, you can help make sure the security risk from human error in your company is minimized.
Security awareness training teaches employees about appropriate computer and information security practices, as well as what potential security threats are commonly used by attackers today. These threats can include manipulating employees into compromising cybersecurity through unauthorized access, modification, and destruction of information, among other forms of attack. By providing comprehensive security awareness training and ensuring that your company’s procedures and employee practices are insulated against potential security threats, you can make sure that your company and your information are safe.
Take Advantage of Multi-Layer Security
While most companies use some form of encryption or network security, many companies only use a single layer of security to protect their employees and their data. It’s a good idea to have multiple lines of defence against potential cyberattacks that are able to guard against different approaches to illicitly accessing your data. Employing a professional-level firewall, downloading VPN service, and installing antivirus software on company computers are all necessary and useful layers of cybersecurity that should not be overlooked when putting together the cybersecurity plan for your business.
It’s also a good idea to have employees utilize cybersecurity features, such as having two-factor authentication (2FA) in place for their personal access to the company’s software or network. Two-factor authentication ensures that even if a cybercriminal is able to breach an employee’s log-in details, they won’t be able to access your company’s information or system without a second confirmation, usually through your employee’s phone or email.
Having two-factor authentication in place may initially seem redundant, but in the event of a security breach, 2FA can mean the difference between having your data stolen and it remaining completely safe and secure – even if it might cause some minor inconvenience to use. Utilizing ongoing network monitoring and hard drive encryption techniques are also a good idea for guaranteeing your data and systems are as safe as possible.
Update Your Software
Finally, one of the biggest mistakes business owners make is failing to maintain and update their security software after installation and set up is initially complete. While it may be tempting to simply establish your cybersecurity setup and stop thinking about it, cybercriminals are constantly thinking of new ways to penetrate existing security measures and circumvent your security measures.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure your software and cybersecurity are up to date, as software makers constantly work to fill in potential holes that a cyberattack could exploit. It can be a good idea to hire a dedicated expert to maintain your security setup. And by investing the time and money necessary to build up and maintain digital security measures, you can be sure that your company’s data and systems stay as safe as possible.
