According to experts, 3.8 million records are stolen from businesses every day. Sadly most startups and small businesses don’t think they are prone to attacks, yet 55% of small businesses experience cyber-attacks. In our increasingly digitized world, every business needs to prepare for cyber-attacks. The good news is there are measures you can take to guard your business. Let us look at some of the simple ways to stay ahead of cybercriminals.
Educate your employees on cyber attacks
Did you know that 95% of cybersecurity breaches are due to human error? This means we are primarily to blame for all the cyber-attacks and privacy intrusion complaints. Think about an employee who doesn’t understand phishing attacks and goes ahead to open emails and dish out company information. There are many who don’t know why it is essential to browse on secured sites or how to spot a rogue site in the first place.
The first step should be to educate your team on cybersecurity if you are to fight against cybercrime. They need to understand common scams that could potentially harm them and your business. Remember, knowledge is power, teaching them about common cyber-attack terms like malware; identity theft will go along away in preventing costly breaches.
Backup your data
Imagine waking up only to realize that all your data is lost or deleted by an attack? It happens and most businesses even close shop after an attack! As a business, you must have a sound data backup plan as an insurance policy against cyber threats. While it is good to have a physical back up plan, cloud computing has made it simple to store data backups online. You can check out solutions that can help you store data on the cloud.
What to consider when choosing a cloud backup provider?
- Enquire if they have adequate bandwidth
- Look at their data security and compliance policy
- Can they meet your storage and scalability needs
- What backup schedules do they have and which one will work for you
Tip:
- Make sure you also implement your physical security to protect against theft
Outsource IT services
Every entrepreneur should understand the integral role IT plays in the business. Cyber-attacks problems start when you do not have proper IT experts or facilities in place. Well, as a startup, you might not have the resources to hire a team solemnly dedicated to IT support. Luckily with limited resources, you can still outsource the new standard of IT support from a reputable managed services provider. With managed services, you will enjoy full protection and round the clock monitoring without worrying about attacks. Having IT sorted will give you time to focus on your business growth.
Implementing password security practices
Password security is one of the easiest ways to protect your data. Ensure your team members use strong passwords to access your systems. You can also add a layer of authentication with a two-step verification system to protect your data. You can also send reminders on password safety and ensure that the passwords are changed from time to time.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is simply a secure solution that allows users to send and receive data via the internet while maintaining their privacy and data confidentiality like in a private network. If you are a startup with a remote team, investing in a remote-access VPN connection will allow your remote workers to log into the office network from anywhere. Remember, you might not control how your employees access their WIFI to do the job. Therefore, you must ensure that your company’s data is protected when accessed by employees.
Update your antivirus software
Having a functional and updated antivirus software is not an option if you are to win the fight against attacks. There are thousands of antivirus software in the market today. Sadly, not all antivirus software is the best. You should look out for features such as internet protection, website blocking, email protection, anti-theft features, and firewall monitoring, etc. Always remember to update it to address any flaws in the previous version. If this is too tedious, getting managed network services is the way to go.
Tip:
- Ensure you keep all your Enterprise tools up to date to avoid breaches that take advantage of design flaws.
Wrap up
Cyberattacks are the gravest risk company’s face today. Cases of data breaches, network outages, and ransomware are increasingly becoming a concern for most entrepreneurs. You should know that cybercrime can bankrupt your startup! While you cannot avoid tech, you can invest in cybersecurity measures we have covered and more to help you stay safe and in business!
