WorldExecutivesDigest.com | Increase Your Business’s Online Security in 6 Easy Steps | The latest cybersecurity breaches survey has shown that cyber attacks have become more frequent in 2019 and 2020. They have evolved, too. Almost half of businesses have succumbed to cyber attacks in the last 12 months.
No business, big or small, is immune to cyber threats, so it’s paramount to make cybersecurity one of your top priorities. Cybercriminals are always looking for weaknesses in your system, so taking precautions seriously is the best way to protect your company and its reputation.
The six easy steps listed below will help you level up your cybersecurity game and protect your business against malicious attacks.
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Keep your passwords strong
Research has shown that people tend to use passwords that can be easily guessed. Since impenetrable passwords are the backbone of cybersecurity, make sure your employees are not using their birthdays, “123456”, or their pet names as passwords for their accounts.
This is a security hazard that can be easily prevented by teaching your staff how to create strong passwords for the accounts they use. Of course, using the same password for all of the accounts, one has access to can put all of them at risk.
A reputable password manager is a smart tool that creates robust passwords and securely stores them for you. For added security, use two-factor authentication.
Besides creating complex passwords, changing them every 45-90 days is strongly advised.
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Protect your domain name
Enhancing your defense systems is essential since hackers use more advanced techniques to breach security protocols. Lack of the most relevant cybersecurity tactics can result in scamming your customers, stealing your data, and even taking over your domain.
If you want to secure your personal domain name, consider implementing additional safety features like locking your domain name.
This will prevent any unauthorized access to your domain account and keep your valuable data (like private customer information) safe.
Besides, restrict access to your domain account and assign a small group of your trusted employees to take care of its security.
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Update your software regularly
Install updates as soon as they are available and make it a habit never to ignore update prompts, even if they appear inconvenient. This applies to your operating system, your security software, and other critical software.
Updates often contain security upgrades for novel viruses and attacks, so find the time to apply new security patches for your software.
For the best defense against online threats, ensure that security software on your business devices includes anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam filters.
Since updates can fix flaws, after installing the latest version of your software, run a scan.
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Back up important business data
Make regular backups of your essential data. This will prevent losing important company files and allow your business to be up and running in no time if a virus infection makes it to your systems.
Another threat to security that has become more prevalent nowadays is ransomware. Effective backups will protect your business against this type of attack too.
Critical data you should take special care of includes human resources files, financial files, accounts receivable/payable files, and other important information that would interrupt your business if stolen or deleted.
Store your copies offsite, so they are secure if your office gets robbed or damaged. Another solution for keeping your key files and systems safe is cloud storage.
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Secure your Wi-Fi network
If your business has a Wi-Fi network, encrypt it and change the password regularly. Another smart way to protect your business’s sensitive data is to limit authorized users on your network. Set up selective Wi-Fi permissions on your network and a separate “guest” network for your clients, suppliers, and friends.
Putting your payment terminal on a separate network from your general store is yet another effective measure to minimize the chances of a successful cyber-attack.
Having a separate network for payment terminal with only a couple of educated employees that have authorization increases your cybersecurity significantly. Even if hackers get into an employee’s computer, they won’t get access to your payment terminal.
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Have a proper firewall in place
A firewall is the first line of defense when cybercriminals try to access your network. It’s like a gatekeeper for all your incoming and outgoing traffic. A proper firewall will protect your internal networks, but it has to be regularly patched to ensure your online security is top-notch.
Setting up a business-class firewall is the best way to manage the traffic allowed into your network and prevent your staff from visiting compromised websites.
For instance, if large amounts of data are being extracted from your business’s network, the firewall will shut down the process if it hasn’t been authorized by designated personal.
If you have any remote employees, make sure they, too, are protected via a firewall.
As the costs of data breaches can be high, and your company’s reputation is at stake, it’s imperative to take proactive measures and improve your online security.
These six easy steps will strengthen your business’s cybersecurity, so make sure to adopt them right now.
Dan Radak is a marketing professional with twelve years of experience. He is currently working with a number of companies in the field of digital marketing, closely collaborating with a couple of e-commerce companies. He is also a coauthor on several technology websites and regular contributor to Technivorz.
