Top 5 Cyber Security Tips to Protect Your Business
By Steven Czyrny
Cyber security is more important than ever these days. You can’t just hope your business doesn’t get attacked, you need to take action. Read on to discover the top 5 cyber security tips to protect your business.
40% of cyber attacks in 2017 targeted businesses.
Cyber attacks have been on the rise in recent years, and businesses are often a common target for hackers. It is assumed that smaller businesses will not have the same resources as larger corporations, and will thusly be more vulnerable.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help protect your businesses from a cyber attack.
Here are 5 cyber security tips you can use to secure your company.
1. Educate Employees on Cyber Security
One of the most important things a company of any size can do to improve their cybersecurity is to train all employees on cybersecurity practices.
Employees at every level within your company should go through training on how to spot potential cyber threats online. The employees should know what to do in the case of a breach and steps they can take to keep the employee, vendor, and customer information safe.
The fact is that your employees are going to be your weakest link, and keeping everyone up-to-date on the best cybersecurity practices will help to protect your business.
2. Use Backups Wisely
By now you have likely heard how important it is to regularly backup your company’s data in order to help you recover in the event of a cyber attack. In fact, it is generally recommended that you perform a backup at least once a week.
However, with more businesses choosing to backup their data onto the cloud or remote servers, it is important that you protect your backup data so that it is not liable to be hacked.
Before backing up data to remote servers, make sure that you encrypt any sensitive files as an extra layer of protection for your business.
3. Secure Your Network
In order to protect your primary data at your company, you should also use encryption to safeguard your company’s internet connection.
If your business has a WiFi network, you should also make sure that access to the router and the wireless connection is secured by a strong password. Ensure that your network is hidden so that it does not broadcast the network name to surrounding devices.
If possible, you should also limit who has access to the WiFi password, even amongst your employees.
This will limit access to your network and will help to protect your company’s sensitive information.
4. Third Party Email Encryption Apps
For messages containing financial data, proprietary secrets, and trade information you may want to add an extra layer of security.
Reputable alternative email providers offer full end-to-end encryption (provided the receiving party is using the service as well) along with the promise of protection from hackers and government agencies.
Excellent options include:
o Protonmail
o Tutanota
o Ghostmail
5. Self-destructing Email
If you want your message to be extra covert, you can send a self-destructing email. One such piece of software that offers this service is Snapmail–a Chrome web extension for Gmail.
Once you’ve downloaded it from the Chrome web store, make sure it’s enabled. Now, all your emails composed in Gmail will have the Snapmail option next to the send button.
Implementing Cyber Security Tips
Cybersecurity is not just a technology problem. The system is only as strong as its weakest link.
To have an effective cybersecurity system, you need a comprehensive security policy for all employees that covers both online and offline behavior, as well as leaders to instill a security-conscious culture.
Contact us for more cyber security tips.