Owning your own business comes with many responsibilities. One of the most frequently overlooked revolves around keeping your most sensitive data safe. While new businesses tend to focus heavily on making money, it’s absolutely essential to prepare your business for a cyber attack due to its inevitability. There are more sophisticated hackers and other cyber thieves out there than ever, which makes it even more important to ensure that your business is ready for an attack. Here are things you should do to protect against a cyber attack.
Educate Your Staff
Educating your staff about the threats that are out there is essential. Often, when a security breach occurs within a company that results in sensitive data being leaked, it’s due to human error from an employee. Someone might not realize that an email is not official and may innocently click on a link or open an attachment that results in a cyber attack on your business’ most sensitive data. Hold a few meetings to train your employees about the many dangers in cyberland. When your staff is educated, they will know what to avoid and how to better respond in the event of a would be attacked.
Make Regular Backups
As a business, it’s important that you have a system in place that makes automatic backups of your important data and computer systems. Using more than one source for making your backups is also wise. You can have an external hard drive as well as the cloud to store those backups. You should ensure that the backups are performed at least once per month or even once a week to be extra secure. Cloud technology is so important these days as you can access your data anytime you need it most.
Use Threat Response Software
Threat response software is something you need to invest in for your business’ ultimate security against cyber threats. You should always have a good antivirus program installed on all devices used for business. On top of that, you need a reliable firewall and anti-malware software to effectively detect cyber threats in real-time. This software should also immediately respond to any threats coming in. This is one area in which you should not skimp; don’t simply buy the cheapest software you can find. Instead, you should opt for the best regardless of spending a few extra dollars.
Keep All Software Updated
All of your software programs should be updated on a regular basis as the updates come in. If you don’t update security patches in a timely manner, it can result in your precious data becoming Cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are always diligent in their attacks, so keeping your software updated regularly can only benefit your business.
In addition to software, you should also keep all devices being used for business updated as well. That means you should update everything from web browsers to packages like Microsoft Office to the device’s operating system.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Never use open Wi-Fi for your business. By securing it with a password and even hiding your network name, you can ensure that it is safe from the prying eyes of cybercriminals. You may also want to set up your Wi-Fi network’s password to change every three months or even every month.
Use a VPN
Using a virtual private network (VPN) for all devices accessing your company’s data is also wise. It
helps to keep your network safe by masking the true IP address and essentially makes your online
activity invisible. It’s especially important to require your employees who work remotely to use a
VPN even if they aren’t working in a coffee shop with an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
These tips can help you to ensure that your business is ready for a cyber attack. You will be better
prepared to keep your most sensitive, important data secure.