BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY THREATS THAT BUSINESSES FACE AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
It is necessary to protect your business against cybersecurity threats and make the most of the opportunities online.
The online world gives businesses the potential to reach a broader customer base, use global suppliers and sometimes even save on admin or supply expenses. Nevertheless, the world of online business can bring the potential for scams and security risks. A single successful attack could severely damage your business and cause financial difficulty for you and your customers, as well as affect your business’s reputation.
It is an excellent approach to put an efficient cybersecurity plan in place if your business accesses the internet or email to conduct business.
Models to keep your tech and business information protected
There are tools and methods you can put in place to safeguard your business from cyber threats.
Below are some simple steps that you can take to help protect your business to guarantee customers confidence.
BACK UP DATA
Backing up your business data and website may help you realize what you’ve lost in the event of an attack.
It’s imperative that you continuously back up your important data and information, from financial records and business plans to customer records and personal information. This will decrease the damage in the event of a breach or computer problem. Fortunately, backing up your data is usually cost-effective and secure.
It’s a great idea to use multiple back-up methods to help guarantee the safety of your valuable files. An excellent back-up system typically includes:
regular incremental back-ups to a portable device and/or cloud storage service
end-of-week server back-ups
quarterly server back-ups
yearly server back-ups.
Make it a habit to back up your data to an external drive or portable device like a USB stick.
Save portable devices separately offsite and do not leave them connected to the computer as they can also be infected from a cyber-attack. Having a copy of your data in a separate location will let you retrieve information quickly and easily in the event of any data loss.
Regularly check and test that you can recover your data from your back-up source.
Secure your computer and devices
Small parts of software known as malware or viruses can infect your computers, laptops and mobile devices. Install security software on your business computers and devices to further prevent infection and ensure it includes anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam filters. Make sure that you set your security software to update automatically as updates may contain essential security upgrades based on recent viruses and attacks.
Firewall security to protect your internal networks. Learn to install the firewall on all your portable business devices and keep them updated and patched to prevent threats from entering your network.
CONTROL AND PROTECT THE USE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Maintain
a record of all the computer devices and software used by your business. Keep
items protected to restrict forbidden access and remind employees to be mindful
of where and how they keep their devices.
Train employees against using a USB stick or portable hard drive. An unknown cyber threat can accidentally transfer from a portable device from home straight into your business system.
Remove any software or equipment that you no longer require and ensure that no sensitive information is on them when thrown out.
PROTECT VITAL INFORMATION/ MANAGE ADMINISTRATIVE PASSWORDS
Ensure sure you encrypt your data when saved or sent online so only approved users can access it.
Encryption converts your data into a concealed code before you send it over the internet. This decreases the prospect of resource theft, destruction or tampering. Ensure you turn your network encryption.
Change all default passwords and look at disabling administrative access totally to avoid an attacker from gaining access to your computer or network. Ensure you change each password to something new that can’t be easily figured. Attackers have the potential to get full access to your system from an administrator-level account.
To reduce the risk of your computer becoming infected, create a standard user account with a strong password you can use daily.
CHOOSE STRONG PASSWORD S
By creating secure passwords, you are enhancing your digital security.
Use passwords to protect access to your devices that hold vital business information. Using a password such as ‘123456’ or worse still, ‘password’ is leaving yourself open to being hacked. https://www.maxfront.com/2020/02/13/benefits-of-technology-in-business/
Frequently change your passwords every few months. If you use a similar password for everything, once someone has your password, all your accounts are potentially under attack.
Consider using a password manager that securely stores and creates passwords for you.