Simple Ways to Skyrocket
Your Business Cyber security
A lot of businesses nowadays are focusing on improving their cyber security. Cyberattacks are costing companies millions, and it is only going to get worse as the years go by. This blog post will give you some simple ways that you can improve your cyber security so that you don’t have to worry about being hacked.
1. Computer Updates
A lot of computers are still running on older versions of Windows like XP. The most important software update for your computer is to make sure that it has the latest updates installed, including any security patches. This can happen best after a compromise assessment.
If you’ve been avoiding updating because you were worried about compatibility with other programs or devices connected to your PC, then stop worrying. Updates have come a long way since Windows 95 and 98. Programs should be able to connect to each other now without too much trouble (as long as they’re both updated).
In fact, many modern machines will automatically install new updates when they download them from Microsoft’s servers at no cost! All you need do is stay plugged in to the internet and everything will take care of itself.
2. Security Measures
One way to keep your networks safe is by implementing security measures like firewalls and antivirus solutions. This doesn’t mean just desktop computers; laptops should follow suit too. In addition, it’s important to strengthen any passwords used on devices so that malicious actors cannot easily gain access.
3. Hold Your Staff Accountable
Some employees might be tempted to make excuses for their seemingly irresponsible behavior. Your business can’t afford this. So, it is important to hold your staff accountable and reprimand them accordingly if they are found at fault.
Be sure that you have clear expectations on what falls under the “responsible online activity” category: logging off when not working, using a VPN or other security measures, etcetera.
4. Payment Security
Payment security is an important aspect of any business. If a hacker gains access to your payment information, they could potentially steal the sensitive data attached and use it for fraudulent purposes.
To protect yourself from this type of danger, you should always stick with best practices when accepting payments online or offline.
One thing you can do is make sure that there are application-level protections in place (i.e., encryption) on all servers transmitting credit card data over public networks such as Wi-Fi hotspots at airports and coffee shops, hotel lobbies, and even Starbucks if using their free WiFi service).
5. Data Backup
Store your data in a different location than where it is currently being hosted. This ensures that even if hackers were to break into the current hosting company, they would not have access to all of your data.
This may require you to purchase an external hard drive and then upload the files from there when needed or use emailing services such as Gmail for saving documents and images instead of using attachments in emails.
6. Website SSL Protection
The concept of an SSL certification is relatively simple: by placing this certificate on your website and then linking the corresponding URL with that same certificate, cybercriminals cannot steal any data from potential customers who use their browser to contact your site.
7. Spam Email Filters
Spam filters are a great way to help stop spam emails from getting through in the first place. The software is typically installed on your email server and will scan incoming messages against blacklists of known spammers, or it can be an end-user application that scans each message as soon as you open up an account.
8. Mobile Device Security
One of the best ways to improve your business cyber security is by making sure that your mobile devices are fully secure. This includes updating all those gadgets as soon as possible.
Hackers have been known to take advantage of outdated software in order to gain access, so it’s important not only for you but also everyone else who uses these devices on a daily basis.
Make sure that any new app permissions are turned off and double-check what information they store on them or how often they update data without asking first. It may sound tedious at first, but over time this will become second nature and you can feel safe knowing that everything from passwords to personal photos will be safeguarded from hackers trying their hardest just to get one step closer.
Summing Up
Cyber security is an important aspect of any business and it’s imperative that you do everything possible to protect your company. It may seem like a lot, but there are plenty of simple ways you can use to get started on the right cyber path. These are just some of them.
