Cyber Security Best Practices for Small Businesses
The majority of cyber-attacks that have occurred over the last few years are all targeted at small and medium-scale businesses. This is because these businesses do not take their cybersecurity issues seriously.
As such, cybercriminals take advantage of these lapses to carry out attacks and hack business data.
Due to this, there is a need for every small and medium scale business owner to be proactive with their cybersecurity strategy. Doing this is the only vital way to be positioned for cyber-attacks that are bound to happen sooner or later. This article explores some of the top cybersecurity best practices for small businesses.
Invest in proper security technology
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving in their mode of attack. This is why every small and medium scale business owner must stay up to date with the best software and operating systems. Also, ensure that all computers and devices used for business operations are equipped with the latest and most important antispyware that easily detects cyber threats. There is more. You want to install firewalls that are designed to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing the private networks used for your business processes. This is because firewalls protect sensitive business data from unauthorized access and are the first line of defence against cyber threats. Installing a firewall will significantly improve your business' cybersecurity and prevent cyber-attacks that are targeted at your business.
Pay attention to your Wi-Fi networks.
Securing your Wi-Fi network is an essential cybersecurity practice. This is because vital data is transmitted over the air when Wi-Fi is used. An unsecured Wi-Fi network means that anyone who is close by and know-how can easily access data transmitted online. This kind of situation is a major security issue that can easily be avoided. All you need to do is to ensure that your Wi-Fi network is password secure, hidden, and encrypted. A secure Wi-Fi is a difference between a security breach and optimal cybersecurity.
Employ strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
While this might appear obvious, it bears repeating. The use of strong, unique, and complex passwords at all stages in your business operations is one of the easiest ways to stay safe. What's a strong password? A strong password comprises at least ten characters, including numbers, capital, and lowercase letters and symbols. You also want to ensure that these passwords are changed regularly, perhaps every three months. You could even take the "passwording" a step further by adding multi-factor authentication, which further adds complexity and unpredictability to your passwords. By all means, avoid passwords that are generated by first names and dates of birth.
Backup all data regularly.
As easy as this sounds, a lot of small businesses take it for granted. Due to this, they fall prey to cybercriminals. Regular data backups are a simple yet vital cybersecurity best practice. This is because the practice protects your company from losing any key information via loss, theft, or destruction. Data backups ensure that you do not permanently lose vital data in the event of a disaster. Cloud storage is fine and dandy, but you also need to have offsite storage and external drive storage options for all of your business information.
Train your employees
Although most businesses operate in a digitized business landscape, company employees are the most common cause of data breaches. They are often unaware of their risky behaviours on the internet, and to forestall any security breach from that front, you need to train them in modern cybersecurity best practices. This will go a long way in reducing the risk of security breaches on account of their activities.
Conclusion
Small businesses with little or no security are low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. Therefore, it is in your best interest to keep your business as safe as possible using the cybersecurity practices described in this article.
