Assess Your Business Risk
If you need to improve the cybersecurity of your company, you have to identify where your business is vulnerable to attacks. A cybersecurity risk assessment will help you identify where you can improve on security to safeguard your systems and data. Assessing your business risk helps you to introduce a plan of action that includes user training, securing email, data protection, and more.
Employee Cybersecurity Training
The leading cause of data breaches for small enterprises is employee work-related communication. Employees need training on basic use of internet best practices which can help to reduce the chances of an attack happening.
Your employees should understand how to secure and protect the information of their colleagues, clients, and the company. The company should set policies, so everyone knows which practices are unacceptable and acceptable. Additionally, it’s wise to limit the number of employees who have administrative access.
Manage and Monitor Cloud Service Provider Accounts
You should consider using a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) to host your company’s data and other services. SaaS (Software as a Service) providers for productivity at work and email can help to secure processed data.
Secure Processing of Payment
Ensure you’re working with card processors or your banks to use trusted tools and anti-fraud services. You can have more security agreements with payment processors or banks.
Avoid using one computer for browsing the internet and process payments. You need to isolate less secure software from payment systems. You can use trusted software to handle your company tax obligation, or Google “cpa near me” to find a professional accountant in your area.
Control Physical Access
Unauthorized people should not be allowed to access or use the company’s devices and computers. Always lock laptops and mobile devices when not in use, they can be easy targets for theft. Ensure a separate user account is created for all company staff and use strong passwords.
Only trusted IT staff and key personnel should be given administrative privileges. Remember to conduct access audits regularly. This is to ensure that employees who no longer work for the company are removed from the system, and devices belonging to the company are returned.
Secure Your Networks and Databases
Your networks should be protected by encrypting information and the use of firewalls. This will minimize the likelihood of unauthorized personnel accessing confidential information. Ensure the company’s wifi network is password protected and hidden from the public.
Be selective of the data stored in the organization’s database. Do not store all the confidential information in one database. The organization’s data should be backed up daily or weekly. This ensures that in case a data breach happens, no data will be lost.
Endnote
Cyber crime can have a costly impact on your business or life if you don’t have a plan to prevent it. Maintaining your security in cyberspace is an ongoing process. Existing and new employees need to be reminded regularly about what to do to protect your company against cyber threats.
