Staying secure should be a key concern for any business in today’s tech-driven industry, so here’s how to do it right
On any average business day, there are likely a million things for you to think about. From current projects to employee satisfaction, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to complete all the things lingering near the bottom of your to-do list. But one thing every business owner must make the time for is cyber security. Now, regular everyday security is essential as well, with business security systems being put in place to deter burglars and vandals, but we live in a technology society, so online security is high up on the list as well.
Businesses – and particularly small businesses – are increasingly being targeted by hackers who assume that security protocol won’t be as rigid as larger corporations. This can lead to data loss and the confidential information being shared. It could also lead Google to deem your business unsecure and remove it from its listings! This is why it is beneficial to businesses to work alongside IT services that also incorporate cybersecurity software for their business.
Boosting security doesn’t need to take up a huge amount of your time or budget. There are plenty of simple ways to increase your business’s online protection, and an expert team like Syntax IT Support London. amongst others can help you along the way. Here are some tips to keep you secure and safe.
Back it up
You should always be aware of where your business data is located, and this includes having a solid back-up in place. To help with controlling your database and making sure your security is working efficiently, you may want to check out this post for how it can be done and what you can do to protect your data. Storing a copy of your documents in the cloud ensures that you still have copies available should disaster strike. Make sure to keep these back-ups up to date and secure your cloud storage with password protection. You could also constantly check for reports as they could give an insight on how and where your data is stored.
Create a Cybersecurity policy
A Cybersecurity policy is a simple measure that can have a big impact. Even the most basic of policies – e.g. not sharing sensitive information via email and not writing down security information in plain sight – can reduce your likelihood of being targeted. It would also be a good idea to look into managed SOC services for threat hunting, incident response, and forensic investigations. All of it essential when it comes to running a business.
Protect your partners
Many small businesses work with larger companies or partners by offering services to them. This can provide hackers with a route to a bigger target. Securing your own business will in turn help these larger companies stay protected.
This could involve making sure that authorization and authentication processes are in place, as well as protecting your infrastructure with a firewall and anti-virus software. In addition, it may be beneficial to have a number on hand for a professional Cybersecurity Incident Response team. This ensures that, should a breach occur, you can quickly mobilize experts to contain and mitigate the damage, minimizing potential risks to both your business and any partners.
Keep your network secure
Nowadays, almost every small business uses a Wi-Fi network when completing their daily tasks. However, how many of them take the time to consider how secure the network is? Wi-Fi is one of the most popular methods of data breaching by hackers, who can all-too easily reach sensitive data via an insecure network. Weak encryption methods or, worse, having no password at all on your Wi-Fi can leave you open to attack. As a minimum you should ensure that your connection uses the highest amount of encryption possible, and possesses a long and complex password. You should also avoid broadcasting your company name via your Wi-Fi network.
Encrypt sensitive data
We often email sensitive information at work without thinking twice about it, but this can put said information at risk of exposure should it fall into the wrong hands. Try to get into the habit of encrypting a file with password protection before you fire it across in an email. That way, even if your email is accessed it will be much more difficult for a hacker to access your attachments.
Keep your employees in the loop
No matter how on-the-ball you feel you are personally when it comes to cyber security, a business is only as secure as its least secure member of staff. As an employer, it is your duty to make sure that everyone knows what they should be doing to keep your business data as secure as possible. This means training your employees on issues such as using different passwords for different accounts and not falling victim to phishing emails.
