Startups across the world face a unique set of challenges: how to make an impact in a potentially crowded marketplace, how to establish a strong team, how to implement systems that ensure productivity, and many others.
Adding weight to the load doesn’t sound like much fun, but unfortunately, cybersecurity is another challenge that startups will need to nail in order to become successful.
While it might be tempting to brush aside the security concerns and instead concentrate on the nitty gritty of the business itself, the reality is that unless your startup can offer clients (and their data) a high level of security, your company will struggle to build up a good reputation and could even run afoul of data protection laws.
To protect your company’s best interest and your clients’ data, your startup should pay proper heed to cybersecurity, particularly in 2020’s increasingly fraught threat landscape. Below are a few easy, actionable steps your startup can take to get the digital security ball rolling.
Create a cybersecurity culture
Whether you’re a one-person show or your startup consists of a team of twenty, the very best way to ensure the cybersecurity measure you put in place stick is by creating a cybersecurity culture.
Make sure that your team knows that security is part of everyone’s job, not just the preserve of the IT people. Generating an ethos where all staff are attuned to the risk and don’t cut cybersecurity corners can significantly reduce the risk of a breach.
Invest in the right tools
A culture of care is great, but it can’t halt all of the threats. You’ll also need to invest some money and effort into necessary software to keep your startup’s data safe. Above and beyond basic antivirus protection, consider the following tools:
- VPN: Use a VPN router to cover all the devices in your office and secure the whole network with proper encryption.
- Antimalware: Use antimalware to find and quarantine the threats that antiviruses miss.
- Email scanner: An email scanner reviews emails and helps protect against phishing and other social engineering threats
- Disk encryption: While most cyber crimes are committed remotely, there’s always the risk of devices being physically stolen. Encryption prevents hackers from gaining access to hard drives.
- Vulnerability scanner: Use these programs to assess your startup’s whole network and find any potential vulnerabilities and access points.
- Professional IT help: If your startup is internet-based or utilizes IoT systems, getting professional help to get your ducks in order is even more important. Once a year, consider getting your systems re-checked for any potential issues.
- Cybersecurity insurance: If a breach occurs, who would you rather bear the brunt of the cost, your startup, or an insurance company?
There’s no doubt about it, cybersecurity in 2020 for any business is a challenge, and for startups, it’s an essential part of creating a successful business with staying power. Follow the tips above and you and your company will be off to a great start.
