5 Cybersecurity Tips to Help Your Small Business

Data security is as much behavioral as it is technological. Expecting that systems, processes, and policies will provide enough security is simply put, naive. Regardless of systems implemented no one is safe from an attack or data breach.

Here are 5 important company cybersecurity tips to implement.

What Cybersecurity Tips Can You Take?

The first step to better security in the organization is employee awareness. Employees are the greatest asset when it comes to data security, and, not surprisingly, the greatest liability. Making employees think of cybersecurity and the role they play in securing the data of the organization is imperative.

1. Educate your Staff

Run awareness refresher sessions, make sure any and all changes to the policy are well communicated and acknowledged. Call-in guest speakers to chat with employees. Make awareness a key step when onboarding new staff.

2. Setup Policies

The second key step is to draft data security policies. New systems, processes, and procedures that are not underpinned by solid policy-making, understood and supported by all concerned will remain weak, at best.

These policies must cover key issues such as:

• Data Backup and Recovery
• Setting up an off-site storage
• Document data management procedures
• Test recovery frequently
• Keep anti-virus, ransomware, and malware protection software up-to-date
• Run regular scans to confirm the validity of the protection software

Cybersecurity policies provide clarity for everyone in the company. Cybersecurity rules help to address risks and manage risk while ensuring that operations are efficient, effective, and consistent.

3. Password Management

Set down and communicate a password policy that combats:

• Re-using passwords
• Sharing passwords
• Drive a minimum password length of eight (8) alpha-numeric with one ‘character’
• Implement two-factor authentication wherever possible

Passwords are your computer’s and company information’s first line of defense. Your data will be safer from hackers and bad malware if you use a strong password.

4. Build a Tightly Secured Network

Many corporate leaders are simply unaware of the security hazards that these devices might provide if not adequately safeguarded by a secure network. We would never leave our front door unlocked, yet leaving our Wi-Fi networks unlocked exposes us to the same security threats.

Managing network security will be easier if you:

• Audit for default admin logins and passwords
• Ensure, as a minimum, SSL security is in place for websites
• Use strong encryption on all firewalls
• Manage and monitor the use of external storage devices such as USB keys
• Have a strong and clear approach to BYOD (bring your own device)
• Keep operating systems and applications up-to-date
• Never decline or postpone for too long an update from the OS or Application vendor
• Once an OS, Application, or Browser has reached the end of life make every effort to get it out of the organization
• Limit the use of local admin rights
• Regularly audit laptops for obsolete, no longer used user accounts – get rid of them

Network Security safeguards your network and data against attacks, breaches, and other dangers. Access control, virus and antivirus software, application security, network analytics, various types of network security (endpoint, online, wireless), firewalls, and VPN encryption are all included in network security.

5. Bring in a Specialist

Engage the services of third-party cybersecurity and data protection professionals. The benefits of managed it services will help with:

• Understanding legislation in the context of the organization
• Carry out audits and vulnerability assessments
• Assist with simulations (specifically data recovery)
• Construct communication campaigns in the event of a breach

All this gives Board Members the comfort that the measures being taken to secure the company data are not just adequate but tried and tested.

Get Started!

Much like taking measures to secure your premises from intruders (burglars) with fences, bars, alarms, and more; organizations are now expected to take similar measures to protect their digital assets; having an aware workforce puts more eyes and ears in the game. Emphasize data ethics, if it isn’t yours why take it?

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