ExecutiveChronicles| How To Protect Your Small Business From Cyber Attacks | With more businesses going online to generate leads and make sales, cyber attacks become more of a threat to everyday commerce. The threat of cyber attack should not discourage you from making the most of your marketing, however, but inspire you to increase your security in key areas. By working with a cyber security firm, or the best IT consultant, you can find tips, tricks, and training to protect your data. By focusing on a few key areas, such as software and personnel, you can increase the effectiveness of your security strategy and keep your data and your customers safe Cyber Attacks.
Software
Your software is probably the most obvious place that you need to increase your security. Not only can you face hacked passwords and malicious software, but you can also find zero day attacks that increase your risk of losses. Day zero attack is a term describing an unknown vulnerability in an application or software which does not have a fix or patch by the developer. The key of a security firm in the case of one of these attacks is to pinpoint the vulnerability as soon as possible and limit the damage caused. The software also means implementing a solution like PAM for cybersecurity, which is one way to enforce password policies and restrict unauthorized access to company resources.
Hardware
Securing your hardware can be as easy as keeping it physically locked up and using secure passwords. It is important to also keep in mind that as you upgrade your hardware, your old stuff needs to be effectively wiped out before donating or recycling. Making sure that no unauthorized personnel gets into the spaces where your hardware, and hard files, are stored is a good way to keep it safe and you can do this by having trained staff and identification badges for secured areas.
Securing your hardware also means having a physical security system on the premises. This can include audio and video recording, motion detectors, and even security cards to open doors in key areas or metal detectors for entrances.
Personnel
Training your personnel in cyber security is one of the biggest steps you can take toward keeping your data safe. Holding quarterly security training courses, requiring secure passwords to be changed on a regular basis, and even just discouraging the use of personal devices for business tasks can go a long way. You can also train your personnel in some security tasks such as monitoring the software that guards your firewalls, your cloud connection, or your security cameras.
It is a good idea to discourage password sharing, even among individuals on the same team and to limit network administration rights to as few people as possible. This can help keep everything more secure and help you track any breaches that do occur to the most likely culprit. You should also train your employees to spot and avoid unsecured networks, especially to access work files. These networks are hallmarked by the lack of a password to use and can breach personal devices as well as the secured files accessed by them.
Insurance
With more business being done online, the availability of cyber security insurance is higher than ever before. This can help you bounce back better after an attack and can even keep your company from bankruptcy if your customers experience a loss that is determined to be your fault. You should look into this type of insurance and hire a specialist if you can to find the best plans for your needs. You can even get tips and tricks from your insurance company to help you better secure your business and save on premiums.
Protecting your small business from every type of cyber attack is not possible as the malicious actors keep coming up with new ways to get your data as fast as security professionals determine how to stop them. There are some key steps you can take in many areas to help minimize this risk, however, such as securing your hardware, creating better passwords, and avoiding unsecured networks. The more you research security and train your employees, the less likely you are to experience a breach of data.
