The internet has become a staple in the way we communicate and do business. It’s hard to overestimate how much our lives have changed because of it. The convenience and efficiency it provides are undeniable.
However, this increased dependence on technology comes with its risks. With more businesses moving their operations online, they are becoming more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
According to a report from Kaspersky Lab, 43 percent of businesses worldwide experienced at least one cyber security incident last year. And the cost of these attacks is only rising. The average cost of a data breach is now $3.6 million, up 6 percent from last year.
With the stakes this high, businesses must take steps to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Cyber security is an important issue for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the top cyber security tips every responsible business should be aware of.
- Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your cyber security is to keep your software up-to-date. This includes your operating system, web browser, plugins, and applications.
Outdated software is one of the most common ways hackers gain access to systems. That’s because older versions often have security vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited. By keeping your software up-to-date, you can close these holes and make it much harder for hackers to get in.
- Use Strong Passwords
Another important cyber security tip is to use passwords that are hard to crack. A password that is bound to be bulletproof should have a minimum of 8 letters and symbols. You should also avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or your name. And it’s a given that you don’t repeat passwords for more than one account.
If you have trouble coming up with strong passwords, there are a few tools that can help, like LastPass or 1Password. These services generate and store strong passwords for you, so you don’t have to remember them all.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication
2FA adds yet another factor of ensuring that everything is secure that can help protect your accounts from hackers. With two-factor authentication in place, you’ll need to enter your password and a second code before logging in.
This code is usually created by an app on your phone or sent to you via text message. So, even if a hacker manages to get your password, they won’t be able to log into your account without also having your phone.
This is a great way to protect your most important accounts, like your email or online banking. You can have it in place for all of your accounts, but especially important for the ones where a breach would be particularly devastating.
- Be Careful About What You Click
One of the most common ways hackers gain access to systems is through phishing emails. These emails appear to be from a legitimate source, but are actually malicious. They may contain links that download malware onto your computer or take you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.
To protect yourself from phishing attacks, you need to be careful about what emails you open and what links you click. If an email looks suspicious, don’t open it. And if you’re not sure whether a link is safe, hover over it with your mouse to see where it’s actually taking you.
If it lands you on a website that doesn’t look quite right, don’t risk it, and don’t click on the link.
- Use a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that can help improve your online privacy and security. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. In this way, you make it almost impossible for anyone to track your online activities.
You can also use a VPN to access blocked websites and content. And some VPNs even come with built-in malware protection.
- Backup Your Data
Despite all your best efforts, there’s always a chance that your systems could be breached. That’s why it’s important to back up your data regularly.
Backing up your data is one of the most important things you can do to protect your business from cyber-attacks. If your data is lost or destroyed, you’ll be able to restore it from your backup and minimize the impact of the incident.
You can back up your data in different ways. One is to use an online backup service like Carbonite or Backblaze. These services automatically back up your data to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself.
Another option is to use an external hard drive. This is a physical storage device that you can connect to your computer and use to store your backups. The downside of this method is that you need to remember to perform the backups, and external hard drives can be lost or stolen.
- Train Your Employees
Your employees are one of your biggest assets, but they can also be one of your biggest vulnerabilities. Cyber criminals often target businesses by targeting their employees with phishing emails and other attacks.
You must train your employees on cyber security best practices to protect your business. They should know how to spot phishing emails, how to stay safe online, and what to do if they think their account has been compromised.
In addition to training your employees, you should also have a clear cyber security policy in place. This policy should outline what employees are and aren’t allowed to do with company data and devices.
- Use Security Software
Installing security software is one of the best things you can do to protect your business from cyber-attacks. This software can help detect and block malware, phishing attacks, and other threats.
Be sure to keep your security software updated, as new vulnerabilities are constantly discovered. By inspecting these vulnerabilities in real-time, businesses can instantly block any malicious attempts to exploit them. There are a few different types of security software you can use, including:
Antivirus Software
This software scans your systems for malware and removes any threats it finds.
Anti-spyware Software
This software helps protect you from spyware, a type of malware that can track your online activity and steal your personal information.
Firewalls
A firewall is a piece of software that helps block unauthorized access to your computer.
- Keep Your Systems Up to Date
One of the best things you can do to protect your business from cyber-attacks is to keep your systems up to date. When new vulnerabilities are discovered, hackers often target businesses that haven’t updated their systems. To ensure your systems are up to date, you should install all security patches and updates as soon as they’re available. You should also keep your operating system and other software up to date.
- Monitor Your Network
Monitoring your network can help you spot vulnerabilities and threats before they have a chance to do any damage. You can monitor your network in multiple ways, including:
Use a Network Security Scanner
A network security scanner scans your network for vulnerabilities. This can help you spot potential problems, so you can fix them before they’re exploited.
Use a Network Monitoring Tool
A network monitoring tool can help you monitor your network traffic. This can help you spot unusual activity that could be indicative of an attack.
Hire a Managed Security Service Provider
A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) can help monitor your network 24/7. This is a good option for businesses that don’t have the resources to do it themselves.
- Monitor Your Systems
It’s important to watch your systems for signs of an attack. You can monitor your systems by using different strategies, including:
Use System Logs
System logs can help you spot unusual activity on your systems. Monitor these logs regularly to look for anything out of the ordinary.
Use Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems
Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) can help spot malicious activity on your network. These systems can also block attacks before they cause any damage.
Use File Integrity Monitoring
File integrity monitoring can help you spot changes to your system files that could indicate an attack.
- Create a Cyber Incident Response Plan
If your business is attacked, it’s important to have a plan in place for how to respond. This plan should outline who should do what in the event of an attack. It should also include steps to contain the damage and minimize the disruption to your business.
Cyber security is a critical issue for businesses of all sizes. Following the tips in this article can help protect your business from cyber-attacks.
Remember, the best defense against cyber attacks is a good offense. By being proactive and taking steps to protect your business, you can help reduce the risk of being targeted by cyber criminals.
If you think your business has been the victim of a cyber attack, be sure to contact a cyber security expert immediately. They can help you assess the damage and take steps to protect your business in the future.