October 7, 2022

Our top 10 cyber security tips to keep your business safe

Learn our expert tips on how to protect your data, assets, and your clients from cyber security threats

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. It was founded by the National Cyber Security Division of the Department of Homeland Security and the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance to raise awareness about the importance of cyber security.

For businesses, the operational impact of a cyber attack can be catastrophic. In recent years, cyber crime has only continued to grow and is expected to continue doing so — experts estimate that cyber crime is going to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. [1]

Join us this October as we share our top 10 business cyber security tips to keep your data, your assets, and your clients safe from online threats.

#1: Check your firewall

Firewalls refer to a security network that works with your network to monitor inbound and outgoing network traffic. The firewall blocks any suspicious traffic and establishes a barrier between anything it thinks is trying to attack your computer.

Your firewall is your first defense from outside invasion. It prevents people from being able to access data on a private network, so it’s critical to make sure it’s up to date and working properly. It’s also a good idea to follow the recommendations of your IT service provider for the firewall settings.

#2: Control access

If your business collects or stores any personal data, it’s important to protect this sensitive information by only giving access to the people who really need it. You should also restrict which employees are allowed to install software.

This ensures that your business’s data and your customer’s data is as safe as possible. The more people with access to data increases the risk of it being mishandled or leaked, whether intentionally or by accident.

#3: Step up your password security

It’s important to make sure that your employees are educated on how to create strong passwords on all of their devices and accounts. You should also encourage your employees to change your passwords regularly.

There are some common characteristics of strong passwords that you should encourage your employees to follow, including using:

Eight or more characters
At least one number
At least one special character
No significant dates, such as anniversaries or birthdays

#4: Backup your data

When your business’s data is backed up, you are going to be well prepared and protected in case of disaster. IT experts recommend that you back up both your computer data and your server data.

Your IT partner can also advise you on how to set up scheduled backups so you and your team don’t have to remember to manually back up any data. Be sure to periodically check to ensure the backups are happening as expected.

#5: Protect against theft and loss

Consider installing remote wipe software on all company laptops (and any other company devices that employees use out of the office) so they can be wiped or disabled remotely if they’re lost or stolen.

It’s also important for every employee to use multi-factor authentication. This ensures that even if someone steals a device or gains access to a password, they will also need a secret code in order to access the account or device.

#6: Train your team to spot a spam email

Email scams, such as phishing attacks, typically appear to come from a well-known source, such as a bank or service provider, making them harder to spot than some other types of cyber attacks.

Many managed IT service providers offer anti-phishing tests for you and your employees. This system sends out a ‘fake’ email to everyone in your company on a rotating schedule. Team members who click on the link and fill out a form will be redirected to educational resources to help them brush up on their email security knowledge.

#7: Keep software up-to-date

It’s important to regularly update all of your business’s software and devices as soon as possible to protect accounts and devices.

These updates are often to fix bugs that could potentially put your account and information in jeopardy. Without the update, hackers seek ways to use security vulnerabilities to their advantage. Ignoring these updates can unintentionally put your business at risk.

#8: Brush up on your browser security

Educate your employees about ensuring that the websites they visit and provide information to are secure by looking if the URL begins with “https” rather than just “http.”

Also, before you or your team adds a new browser extension, read the reviews, see how many times they’ve been downloaded, read the privacy policy, and look at the exact access permissions it’s asking for.

#9: Keep educated

Your team is ultimately your business’s first line of defense against potential hackers and cyber attacks.

Your team should be aware of cyber security best practices, such as never opening unknown or suspicious links and attachments. Online attacks are becoming more sophisticated by the day, so it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge by reading cyber security news and blogs as much as you can to keep updated.

#10: Consider dedicated IT support

An experienced IT company can help your business stay on top of the ever-changing cyber security landscape.

They will be able to give you and your team peace of mind that your data is well-protected and you’ll know you have an expert monitoring your security systems 24/7.

Looking for an IT partner to help strengthen your business’s cyber security?

At InterNetwork IT, we offer a wide range of IT security packages uniquely tailored to fit your business’s needs. Our comprehensive cyber security services help keep your business, your team, and your customers safe from threats.

Ready to get started?

Contact us today to learn more!

Source:

1: Cybercrime Magazine | Cybercrime To Cost The World $10.5 Trillion Annually By 2025

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