Cybersecurity basics

Cyberattack threats cut across every industry and is a constant worry regardless of a company’s size. This is also an issue for small businesses as they’re still starting out and are usually less vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity measures. 

As a business owner, don’t make the same mistake. Enhancing your company’s cybersecurity should be one of your top priorities. Aside from protecting your business from data breaches and cyber-attacks, you’re also protecting your customers’ privacy and information. 

Many users are particular about their privacy online, and they would have a hard time trusting or transacting on your website if you don’t implement cybersecurity measures for your business.  Here’s a great post to read if you want to know more about how cybersecurity measures can further protect cyber privacy.

If you’ve started implementing cybersecurity measures on your site, you must not get too complacent. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to breach or bypass systems. And if you’re not constantly strengthening your security measures, you’ll be exposed to attacks. So to improve cybersecurity, below are five tips you can take note of:

  • Use Two-Step Verification

While relatively simple, the two-step verification is an effective technique of safeguarding your personal and business details from hackers. Typically, the two-step verification usually requires you to perform another action once you’ve input the password on your account. 

This usually requires entering another code sent via text message to the phone number you had earlier registered with it. The randomly generated key can only be used within a few minutes and once the user types this code, the account can be finally accessed.

The advantage of the two-step verification is that it doesn’t take as much time to verify the true owner of the account. Because of this, companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft have integrated it into their platforms. 

  • Keep Your Device And Software Updated

Hackers spend their time finding any vulnerability with the browser, operating system, and software you’re using. To mitigate this issue, you need to make sure that all your software is up-to-date. This is vital because developers integrate new features that help address any weakness in their system. As a result, this prevents hackers from taking advantage of that weakness in the system.

To make sure you always get the latest system updates for your device and software, check out the following tips below:

  • Configure the settings of your computer and browser and turn on automatic updates. This allows the program to download new updates automatically whenever they’re available.
  • Make sure web browser plugins such as Java and Flash are also up-to-date. 
  • Train Your Employees On Cybersecurity

Another effective way of safeguarding your business from cyberattacks is by training your employees on cybersecurity and data privacy matters. This is vital since employees play a huge role in your company’s day-to-day operations. Hence, they may also be targeted by hackers. 

Therefore, you need to ensure that each of your employees comprehends the dangers related to cyberattacks and security. With the proper training, they’ll quickly figure out potential attacks that might compromise the company’s data. 

These are some of the cybersecurity safety protocols that your employees should know: 

  • Using the two-step verification when logging in to the work computer and business software.
  • Never share company hardware or software with an outsider. 
  • Detecting and staying away from unsecured sites.
  • Backing up data as frequently as possible. 
  • Changing passwords after every three months 
  • Log off accounts and switch off computers properly right after work hours.

Cybersecurity basics

 

  • Always Back Up Your Data 

The last thing you want is to lose vital company information. To ensure this never happens, you regularly need to back up your data. You need to do this in a secured location or on the cloud. This is advised since some hackers only aim to erase the valuable data in your systems. If this happens, you can restore the lost data from the cloud or any other secured physical location. 

  • Secure Your Wireless Networks

Hackers often find their way through Wi-Fi networks. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you need to hide and secure your business Wi-Fi that your employees use in daily operations. You can then have a general Wi-Fi connection that should be restricted to guests only. Moreover, it would be best to change the network’s password every day or every week.

Takeaway 

As a preventive measure, you always have to update your cybersecurity measures and strengthen protocols from time to time. With the internet now playing an integral role in the day-to-day operations of a business, the more crucial it is to implement cybersecurity protocols. This shouldn’t be overlooked as this prevents personal and financial data from falling into the wrong hands, thereby exposing your business and customers to significant risk.