With the threat of cyber attacks growing every day, small businesses can’t afford to ignore the issue. When it comes to protecting your business, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Cyber Threats to Business
Phishing, Malware, Viruses
Cyber criminals can use social engineering or other forms of manipulation to get users to open, download, or run malicious items. These programs are hard to detect once in installed which makes them a large threat to control systems and any sensitive data.
Poor Passwords
Study after study has shown that a significant portion of the professional population still uses ‘Password’ or some close variant as their password on workstations. Passwords that are eight characters long and don’t have a mix of uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers offer little to no protection and can be cracked within a day.
Personal Devices
Our mobiles are attached to us most of the day, and unfortunately, they can be hijacked or piggy-backed to gain access to sensitive data. Company procedures may not be built out to protect data, as they underestimate the risk our devices pose.
Unsafe Cloud Usage
Everything is in the cloud as many businesses move from standard to hybrid and online cloud setups. It is safer than you think, but unsafe usage on the part of the end user can nullify any protection in place.
Outdated software
The unpatched and outdated software may not be capable of supporting the robust security measures implemented to protect your system. Any software unpatched and running without security puts your data at risk.
Team Members
If your staff don’t know how to pick out a dodgy looking email or are intentionally trying to steal or expose information, the people with direct access to your equipment and data are your weakest link.
Completing a Security Risk Assessment
Completing a security risk assessment can outline your current standing and highlight any parts of your business’s security that need attention moving forward. Perform checks regularly. As digital threats are ever-evolving, your risk assessment should answer the following questions;
- Do you have up to date security software installed?
- Who has access to data and across what equipment?
- Is your data safely encrypted?
- Do you regularly update your software to patch known security issues?
- Are employees thoroughly trained on your security policies and best practices?
- Do you dispose of unwanted computing equipment appropriately?
How to protect your business
Protecting your computing hardware and business network should begin with the following best practices;
- Stick to sites that use secure HTTPS connections
- Educate staff around fraudulent emails and sites
- Turn on two-step verification for your accounts
- Install antivirus and anti-malware programs on all company devices
- Create policy around safe Internet access and usage by staff
- Install a password manager and use it to create unique passwords for every use
- Regularly update and patch your software
- Look into using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Make sure your Wi-Fi is invisible to outsiders, encrypted, and secure
- Educate and train employees to have a security mindset
- Backup everything in a separate location
- Review company security policy
- Run Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scanning
- Restrict user access
Enlist the help of a partner
Find the right technology partner who can complete a risk assessment of your business and provide you with the right direction and advice to protect your business.
Your partner in IT security will be able to help through;
- Constant IT systems monitoring
- Identifying unsafe practices/programs
- Automatic updates/patches management
- Secure network and cloud data backup management
- Log monitoring & management
- Internal Compliance Management and Monitoring
- Vulnerability Management
- Security Device Management
Proper security is a major factor in a company’s ongoing success. As your business expands, investing in security solution is for your business’s future success.
