Cyber Criminals do not just target large corporations but also small and medium businesses. Cybercriminals are just waiting for a minor security breach that would give them access to your data, which is something extremely confidential.
Small businesses are attacked more than large businesses since they are not heavily protected. Cyber-attacks are set to obtain personal data that gives them leverage over your credit card along with identity theft.
Therefore, it is vital to make sure your business has a secure network and also a cyber essentials toolkit to combat all the online threats. Here are some essential cybersecurity tips for small and medium businesses that can be implemented today to avoid becoming a victim of a cyber-attack.
Tips to avoid cyber-attack:
1. Using a Firewall
This is, in fact, the first line of defense when it comes to cyber-attacks. The Federal Communications Commission FCC recommends that all small and medium businesses should have a barrier and cyber essentials protocol that controls the amount of data exchanged between online parties. You can even contact the cyber security of Singapore.
There are both internal and external firewalls available that serve the purpose of cyber protection. Check out this firewall hardware guide for additional information.
2. Cybersecurity Assessments
Cybersecurity is all about what you know. You can’t afford to assume that your cybersecurity measures and practices are keeping you safe. A Cybersecurity Assessment will help you know that no matter how much you’ve invested in your cybersecurity, you can’t just assume it’s effective enough to protect you against cybercriminals. A key best practice for cybersecurity is to regularly test your measures to make sure they hold up in the event of an attack, and to identify any unseen vulnerabilities that are putting you at risk.
3. Document your protocols
Commonly, businesses ponder over cybersecurity depending on word of mouth instead of documenting your cybersecurity. It is essential to keep a note of the training, and checklists, along with all the relevant information that is linked to the protection of online businesses. Consider the details toolkit for documenting cybersecurity.
4. Include mobile devices in your plan
It is always a great idea to connect smartwatches, mobile phones, etc. with official notifications. Include these devices in your plan as they have wireless capability. Companies should also propose to their employees the task of applying the password policy to all mobile devices.
5. Educate employees
Another vital tip that small and medium businesses should be aware of is to combat cyber threats. All the staff members who have access to the company’s network should be given adequate training to help them be mindful of all the security policies.
With more protocols being introduced every day regarding cybercriminals, the staff should be given regular updates. It would help them stay on the same page. Every staff member should be held accountable. You can do that by making them sign documents and understand the risks involved with carelessness.
6. Highlight the importance of safe passwords
Changing your password is always a pain, especially when you must capitalize letters and add numbers. However, there is a lot of significance that lies in enforcing safe password practices. According to research conducted by Verizon in 2016, it was highlighted that 63 percent of the accidents related to data breaches that took place were because of weak or stolen passwords or merely an ineffective cyber essentials tool.
Therefore, corporations should highlight the importance of secure passwords and should provide active training sessions on this topic. It is recommended to use passwords that have uppercase letters too along with numbers and symbols.
7. Back update regularly
This is something most corporations fail to do. While being so involved in work, corporations often forget to back-update automatically. This can prevent multiple attacks, even if you have taken care of many things.
It is recommended to back up databases, electronic spreadsheets, financial files, human resource files, account data, etc. You can store them on the cloud in a location separate from your other content. It is also a good idea to keep a check on your backdate to ensure it is running correctly.
Moreover, other tips include installing anti-malware software, cyber essentials certification, and using multifactor identification. These tips will help avoid several cyber-attacks.
