According to SEC statistics, around 60% of small businesses within six months after a cybersecurity attack. It’s your responsibility as a business owner to ensure that hackers don’t get their hands on your data.
Adopting the best cybersecurity practices can help you safeguard your business against cyberattacks. Keep reading to find twelve actionable tips you can adopt to enhance your business’s cybersecurity.
1. Update your software tools
Many businesses rely on 3rd-party apps like web browsers and productivity tools. Hackers can access your computers and steal your data if there is a bug in any 3rd-party apps you use.
You cannot stop using 3rd-party apps because of potential security threats, as developing your proprietary software is a costly decision. Therefore, to ensure that your data is safe when using 3rd-party apps, you should regularly update the apps you use.
Security updates of apps fix many bugs that might allow hackers to hack your computers. Make a schedule for updating your software to maximize your security against hacking attempts.
2. Backup all your data
A cybersecurity attack can result in the loss of all your business data. Regular backups of data are important in this digital age. Your data backups will enable you to access your data even if hackers encrypt your important business data.
You can outsource your data backup needs to a reliable service provider. For example, an sd card copying service can backup all your data on SD cards or USBs.
You can keep these USBs or SD cards to access your data in the future if you face a cybersecurity attack. Make sure you keep the USBs locked away so no unauthorized persons can access them.
3. Ignore suspicious emails
We all get emails from unknown email addresses. While not all emails can be labeled as “spammy,” some emails are “phishing attempts” that trick you into sharing your personal information. You have to ensure that you don’t fall for any phishing emails.
Common phishing emails claim that:
- You have suspicious online activity.
- Your online accounts are compromised.
- You can get a free coupon.
- You have to pay a due payment.
- You should provide your personal info to continue using a service.
Never give your personal account details over an email. Unless you trust the sender, don’t respond to emails in your “Spam” folder. Avoid sharing your email address on websites that you don’t trust.
4.Choose tech products carefully
The tech products you use regularly play a huge role in your cybersecurity. You might lose your data if the products you use are not trustworthy. For example, you might think about buying affordable hard drives to save money, but storage devices sold by unregulated sellers might be compromised.
Avoid buying any tech gadget sold considerably cheaper than the standard market price. Only rely on tech manufacturers that have been selling tech products for a long time and have a proven track record.
If you want to buy tech gadgets on a budget, try to get products directly from the manufacturer at affordable prices.
5. Install an antivirus program
An antivirus program can save you time and effort to keep your computers safe. Most antivirus programs available in the market identify, quarantine, and delete any malicious code that might be present on your computer.
Many leading businesses worldwide rely on antivirus programs. The good thing about antivirus programs is that they update automatically to maximize the security of your computers.
Here are some tips that can help you choose an antivirus for your business:
- Check the database of known malware of an antivirus.
- Understand its malware management strategy.
- Compare its additional security features.
6. Browse the internet with a VPN
VPN allows you to mask your identity on the internet. Without using a VPN, it can get hard for you to keep yourself safe from hackers. Using a VPN ensures that you don’t get attacked by hackers when browsing the web.
Relying on “free VPN services” is not the right option for your business. Make sure you pick the right VPN service that has won the trust of business owners. Configure the VPN on all your computers to enhance the security of your web activity.
7. Create strong passwords
Password management has become one of the most challenging tasks for business owners. If your passwords are not strong or you’ve shared them with someone else, you won’t be able to stay safe online.
Make sure you create strong passwords that are hard to predict or crack. Get help from online resources to create better passwords. Use a password management tool to keep all your passwords in one place and update your passwords from time to time.
8. Keep your workspace safe
Security of your computers matters the most in this digital age. You should enhance your office’s physical surveillance and security to ensure that unauthorized persons can’t access your computers without your permission.
Install a security system in your office to have a 24/7 video recording of your office. There should be security doors to ensure that nobody can enter your workspace with firearms. Make sure you use biometrics to ensure that only your staff can access your computers.
9. Check the HTTPS protocol
Visiting unsafe websites can also breach the security of your systems. Try to avoid any suspicious websites that you have not visited before to ensure that you don’t get attacked by hackers. One of the simple things you can do to avoid unsecured websites is to check the HTTPS protocol.
Web browsers usually notify you when you browse a website that doesn’t come with HTTPS security. Make sure you avoid a website that doesn’t have an HTTPS certificate unless you trust the webmaster of that website.
10. Avoid public internet networks
You might try to access your data if you’re outside your office using public networks. For example, you might connect your laptop or smartphone to the WiFi of a local coffee shop to do some business tasks. Remember that connecting to public networks like these can compromise your security.
Hackers can easily track the data packets sent and received over public WiFi networks. To ensure that you don’t get hacked, try not to use any local internet connection. Use a VPN if you want to connect to a public WiFi to ensure that you don’t get hacked.
11. Learn from your competitors
One of the easiest things you can do to stay safe from hacking attempts is to learn from your competitors. Looking at the cybersecurity strategies implemented by other business owners can help you identify where your security framework is lacking.
Top businesses usually don’t tell others how they keep their data safe. However, keeping track of the marketing material published by businesses might disclose what cybersecurity strategies they use. Make sure you adopt the strategies adopted by your competitors to enhance the security of your system.
12. Train your employees
Your employees use your computers around the clock. If they don’t know how to avoid cybersecurity attacks, you won’t be able to keep your data safe no matter how much you focus on adopting cybersecurity practices. It is therefore essential to educate your employees about the importance of cybersecurity.
Arrange regular training sessions for your employees to help them adopt proper cybersecurity practices. Invite cybersecurity experts to your offices to hold training sessions about cybersecurity, so your employees can learn from the best of the best.