When it comes to cybersecurity trends, they should not be taken lightly, not even if you own a small business. Owning a small business does not equal ease of mind when it comes to cybersecurity. Even though you may not have elaborate networks to worry about, one wrong move could mean your business loses everything. What is alarming is that there may be chances that your business may not even be able to recover. To prevent this from happening, you need to stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends. Here are 5 of them for your consideration.
1. Train Employees in Security Practices
When it comes to employees, you will need to establish data security protocols and practices. Experts in data security, Virginia suggest this could be anything from ensuring everyone creates strong passwords to establishing internet guidelines. If need be, you can also set penalties for the violation of your business’ policies.
Once you detail rules of behavior regarding how your employees handle customers and their data safely and securely, you will reduce the chances of cyberattacks by leaps and bounds.
2. Ensure your Machines are Clean
For every machine, you own, make sure it has the latest operating system, security software, and web browser. This way, your machines will not only be clean, but you will not have to worry about them being compromised. To be on the safe side, see that the antivirus software on each machine starts scanning after every update.
As soon as other key software becomes available, install them immediately. Since your machines will be protected against malware, viruses or any other online threat out there, your business will not be at risk of data loss.
3. Keep Backups
Make it a point to backup any and all of your data regularly. Critical data includes and is not limited to spreadsheets, documents, financial files, human resource files, databases, and accounts payable/receivable files. If possible, set up protocols so that said critical data is backed up automatically. Apart from keeping copies on-site, keep them off-site or upload them to the cloud for easy access later on.
4. Control Access to Data by Employees
Prevent unauthorized access or use of business computers. Laptops are relatively easy targets as they can be lost or stolen; so lock them when left unattended.
Make sure there is a separate account on your business computers for your employees and encourage them to create strong passwords. Moreover, keep administrative privileges restricted to key personnel and trusted IT staff alone.
5. Create a Policy about Mobile Devices
Mobile devices have created several management and security challenges, which were not present before. If these devices hold private and confidential information or have access to your business’ network, and they fall in the wrong hands, it could very well be the end of your business and its operations.
In this day and age where there is no room for error, anyone who has access to private and confidential information on their mobile device should not only use strong passwords but data encryption too. Additionally, they should avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
- In case of loss or theft, there should be proper reporting procedures to deal with the problem as efficiently as possible without causing further damage.
- Also, with the use of mobile devices at work, ensuring all endpoints are secure is a top priority. The definition of endpoint security is to keep all devices on your network safe from malicious internal and external threats.
Bonus Cyber Security Trends to Integrate into your Business
· Utilize Multi-factor Authentication
Having strong and complex passwords is never going to be enough, for which reason you should require your employees to change their passwords after a month or so. Furthermore, there is no harm in implementing multi-factor authentication which requires additional information to gain access to an account or device. It goes without saying it a safe and simple bet that should not be ignored.
· Secure Wi-Fi Networks
If your business depends on its Wi-Fi networks, then you will have to up your game when it comes to encrypting it. You may even need to keep hidden, to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
To hide your Wi-Fi network, all you need to do is to set up your router, but prevent it from broadcasting its name, also referred to as SSID (Service Set Identifier).
While dealing with third parties or vendors, especially when it is about sensitive data and information, you will need to set a separate set of protocols. These will need to be much more complex than the ones mentioned above.
Remember, when it comes to protecting your business, nothing is off the table. You will need to go out of your way to cover each and every aspect of your business, but even then your business is not entirely out of the woods yet. In fact, it never can be. Do keep in mind though, every step counts, even the smaller ones, regardless of the fact they may seem insignificant at first.
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