Introduction
COVID forced many businesses to close their doors for the safety of the population. Despite this, the United States experienced a 24% increase from 3.5 million to 4.4 million startups in 2020.
With new businesses come new threats. Cybercriminals waste no time when it comes to attacking companies; from data breaches to cyber-attacks, every business faces the risk of falling victim to cybercriminals.
Today, let’s go over a few of the ways you can protect your business, from network security to account security.
5 Ways to Secure Your Business
Update Hardware & Software
Both hardware and software have an expiration date. Sure, hardware can last decades, but that doesn’t mean the manufacturer will continue supporting it for longer than a few years; the same goes for software.
Once manufacturers stop updating their devices and programs, those devices and programs become much more susceptible to newer threats, such as newly-created malware. Despite this, many businesses use older operating systems and devices due to compatibility with certain programs.
If you have the option, opt for newer hardware. Along with that, always make sure to update work-related programs and the operating system of your device(s) so that you get the latest security updates.
Teach Employees Proper Cybersecurity
User error accounts for a large portion of cyber-attacks. According to a study done by Cybint, 95% of breaches are caused by human error. For this reason, businesses must grant employees the resources needed to educate them on cybersecurity and how they can protect the data they work with.
Remember, it only takes one mistake by one employee to put your entire business at risk. Teaching employees how to take care of themselves while online will go a long way in securing your business.
Set Up a Network-Wide VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are designed to encrypt data and prevent it from being intercepted by cybercriminals. Along with encryption, VPNs also anonymize users’ placement on a network, making them invisible.
Using a VPN on your company’s network—setting up a VPN router, for instance—will ensure that all of your work devices’ data is encrypted, safe from theft and logging.
Require Strong Passwords for Work-Related Accounts
Without strong passwords, your employee’s accounts will fall victim to breaches sooner or later. Fortunately, it is very easy for an IT team to require users to create strong passwords for work-related accounts.
If you want to go even further, you can enable two-factor authentication for programs that support it (Okta is a good example).
Install Physical Security Measures
Insider threats involve employees, contractors, visitors, etc., stealing data or sabotaging company-wide systems from the inside. Insiders exist in every industry, so your business could fall victim to an insider threat.
An excellent way to deter insiders is by installing physical security measures. For example, requiring a keycard to enter the building can prevent strangers from making their way into your building unsupervised.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals are always on the hunt for a business to terrorize, especially newer businesses/startups. If you’re in the process of starting a business or are currently running one, take a look at these tips and ensure you’re doing the most to secure your business.
