Nothing poses a greater risk to business security than cyber threats. While we can count on both hands, the immense benefits of technology use, and the internet, these advantages are shadowed by 10 more downsides.
Yes, technology plays an important role in building a business. It improves production and distribution, creates a deeper connection with clientele and potential consumers, and also helps one stay ahead of the competition.
Unfortunately, several threats can not only threaten business security but also damage the core of your brand. Fraud, hacking, cloud vulnerability, and identity theft, are some of the very real threats that can impact business security.
Cyber attacks are even more devastating because they threaten to compromise third-party information. When your clients’ information is compromised, it reduces public trust in your business, resulting in a loss of revenue.
Most small businesses lack the infrastructure for handling full-time IT and security support. As technology becomes even more advanced, cyber threats are also evolving. Every business owner must implement effective systems to protect their business against these attacks.
Here are 7 ways to protect your business against cyber threats
Table of Contents
1.Conduct risk assessment to identify major threats
You can’t fight a battle if you don’t know what you’re up against. Hackers typically target vulnerable businesses to steal sensitive data that have immense financial value. You need to examine your existing security system and weigh its efficacy against the quality of data you handle.
Can your digital security system offer the required protection? By identifying areas of your businesses that may be vulnerable to security threats, you can develop a strategy to combat any impending attacks.
2.Update your digital security system
The next step is to plug any leaks you may have noticed during the risk assessment. Equip your remote workers with VPNs and dissuade the use of public WiFi to prevent hackers from intercepting sensitive data.
Introduce double authentication to prevent unauthorized access to data and set up firewalls and updated antivirus software to reduce malware. It’s important to know that updating software goes beyond renewing subscriptions.
To ensure the safety of your business, stay on the lookout for sophisticated anti-virus software that can guard against new forms of cyberthreats.
3.Introduce employee security protocols
We can trace a significant percentage of the cyber attacks that occur in the past few years to negligence and ignorance on the part of the employees.
You can’t protect your business against cyber-attacks if your employees are kept out of the loop. Bring your staff onboard by educating them on the necessity of adhering to the protocols put in place.
An effective protocol to implement is restricting employees from taking company files and devices out of the building. Also, enforce safe password practices. Employees should be dissuaded from using weak passwords on work accounts or keeping records of their passwords.
Encourage regular backups and ensure that confidential files or documentation are kept in storage and not left lying around.
4.Be updated with the latest cyber attack trends
You need to keep abreast of the latest security risks and scams most organizations face. Hackers are getting more sophisticated and often look for new ways to launch their attacks.
Being up to date with the latest digital threats will help you to know what you should protect your organization from and the best approach to take.
5.Data encryption
Apart from updating your software regularly, encrypting data will prevent any unauthorized individual from gaining access to it. It’s high time to leverage encryption tools to boost data security if you’re yet to take that step.
That being said, make sure that you opt for automatic software updates so that hackers won’t take advantage of the loopholes in the old version.
6. Protect all your devices
Bring your own device has become a norm, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Several organizations are adopting this policy but we can’t neglect the increasing security risk.
It’s imperative to devise a plan for protecting every device and operating system that’s connected to your organization. For instance, you can track them and erase sensitive data from any device before discarding it.
7.Install anti-malware software
The anti-malware software should be able to combat ransomware, viruses, spyware, identity theft, and the likes. Confirm whether it can easily spot, prevent, and render the threat invalid before infiltrating your system.
Final word
Small businesses are more vulnerable to security issues than large ones. Working remotely also comes with some cons such as phishing attacks. It doesn’t matter if you’re a startup or a giant in the industry.
Cybersecurity is a priority if your business is to remain safe from attacks from hackers and other cybercriminals.
By partnering with a reliable digital security agency, you can equip your business with the latest technology, thus reducing security threats and improving productivity.
