Cybersecurity

Small businesses are attractive targets of cybercrime? Check out the 10 cybersecurity tips for small businesses.

Small businesses face unique challenges in many areas including cyber threats. Small businesses have information that cybercriminals can leverage and they often lack the security infrastructure of larger enterprises, thus they are an attractive target of cybercrime. The two most common types of threats for small businesses are social engineering and malware. While hackers often accomplish social engineering attacks without the use of malware, malware attacks almost always include a social engineering component. To run a smooth business by eliminating cyber threats, small businesses must consider the following 10 tips for managing cybersecurity. 

Educate and Train Employees

Establish basic security practices and policies for employees, such as requiring strong passwords, and establish appropriate Internet use guidelines that detail penalties for violating company cybersecurity policies. Establish rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data.

Protect Information, Computers, and Networks from Cyber Attacks

Keep clean machines: having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update. Install other key software updates as soon as they are available.

Provide Firewall Security for Your Internet Connection

A firewall is a set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. Make sure the operating system's firewall is enabled or install free firewall software available online. If employees work from home, ensure that their home system(s) are protected by a firewall.

Updates and Upgrades

Though commonly underestimated, one of the best strategies you can use to improve your business's cybersecurity is to commit to regularly updating and upgrading the technological tools you use. Programmers and developers are always on the lookout for new threats, and when they find one, they typically issue a patch to guard against it. However, to take advantage of this patch, you have to install it. 

Backup your Data

If you want to avoid the damage caused by a ransomware attack, this is the winning method besides a ransomware encryption protection tool. Because, if ransomware affects your organizations and encrypts all your private files and asks money for their recovery if you backed them up somewhere else, then the IT guys should only remove the malware and restore the data from the backup place.

Create Strong Passwords

Teach your employees that the best password is a secure password. A good solution to remembering and using strong passwords is a reputable password management application. This stores passwords in one place, allowing people to generate strong, complex, and random passwords that they don’t need to memorize. They only need to remember one password to unlock the app itself. Alternatively, ask your employees to create strong passwords that are at least 10 characters long and include numbers, symbols, and upper and lowercase letters. Advise employees to never write down passwords to keep on their laptops or workstations.

Create a Mobile Device Action Plan.

Mobile devices can create significant security and management challenges, especially if they hold confidential information or can access the corporate network. Require users to password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on public networks. Be sure to set reporting procedures for lost or stolen equipment.

Limit Physical Access to Computers

As with access to a building or physical assets, unauthorized individuals should be prevented from potentially gaining access to laptops, PCs, scanners, and other devices the business owns. This may include physically securing the device or adding a physical tracker to recover the device in case of loss or theft. For devices that are used by multiple employees, businesses should consider creating separate user accounts and profiles for additional protection.

Secure your Wi-Fi networks

If you have a Wi-Fi network for your workplace, make sure it is secure, encrypted, and hidden. To hide your Wi-Fi network, set up your wireless access point or router so it does not broadcast the network name, known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID). Passwords protect access to the router.

Invest in Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Consider investing in security products like virtual private networks (VPNs) and firewalls. These defense lines can't prevent all types of attacks, but they are highly effective when implemented properly.