Cyber threats are increasingly becoming more complex as time goes on. Unfortunately, this means that businesses are more at risk than ever before. Staying safe online can be a difficult task. However, there are some things that all companies can do to increase their security when operating online.
This article will discuss what your business can do to stay protected throughout 2022. It’s time to fend off cybercriminals and navigate the internet as safely as possible.
Use Strong Passwords
Although this may sound like an obvious point, it is one that so many people fail to follow. You should never underestimate a cybercriminal. You may think your password is complex. However, it could be easy for a cybercriminal to hack into. For example, if your password is the name of one of your pets. You may think that a stranger wouldn’t know this, but they could easily find this information from social media profiles.
Instead of choosing personal passwords, it is always advised that you go for something more complex. Use a random selection of letters and numbers. It can also be wise to regularly change your passwords to ensure you are not using the same ones for a long time. For more information on creating complex passwords, it is recommended that you conduct some online research to maximise your security.
Provide Employees with Thorough Training
As a business owner, knowing how to stay vigilant online is all well and good, but if your employees don’t have that same knowledge, how do you expect them to keep your business safe? Therefore, you must provide your employees with the correct training on online safety. As well as creating a training programme, it is important also to hold regular meetings – so the relevant information stays fresh at the forefront of your teams’ minds.
Creating a training programme is a long and complex process. If you need guidance with this, then it is recommended that you use the internet to your advantage. There are plenty of guides out there which can help you create an effective training programme. You should also ensure there is a system in place which allows you to identify which employees have completed the programme and when so you can stay on top of it.
Make Regular Backups of Data
If you want to protect yourself from a cyber-attack, then one of the best things you can do is regularly back up your company data. Failure to do so could lead you to lose all-important personal information if you fall victim to an attack. This could have a detrimental impact on your business operations. For example, if customer information is hacked, this can damage your reputation. Customers will no longer feel like their information is safe with your company, and you could lose a lot of business.
You can back up your data using one of two ways. You can back it up onto cloud-based software or an external hard drive. Both have great qualities. So, it is recommended that you conduct some research to determine which option best fits your company.
Virtual Credit Cards
A lot of businesses will offer their employees company expenses. Instead of handing out physical credit cards, which can easily get lost, you can keep your data more secure by having virtual credit cards instead. A virtual card is easier to control, you can cancel it at any time, and it can often be a lot safer to use. This is because there is no physical card to lose.
Take a look at this all-in-one financial software from PayHawk. The money spent on these company cards is protected by a process called safeguarding. Now managing your payments online has never been easier, and it also helps to take away time spent on mundane tasks like filling out expense reports. Employees will be eligible for virtual visa cards that can help keep track of company spending.
Research Anti-Virus Software
Anti-virus software can be hugely beneficial for your company. It works to identify any risks to your online data. You can download anti-virus software for free. This is particularly useful if you are a start-up or a small business working towards a tight budget. Often, this will give you a basic level of security, but it should suffice. If you are a larger company or have specific security needs that need to be met, you may need to purchase anti-virus software that is more suited to your business needs.
Through a quick online search, you will be able to find plenty of anti-virus software recommendations. Once you have chosen your software and installed it, ensure it is always switched on. This is a mistake that too many companies make. Before they know it, their systems have been taken over by a virus they were unaware of.
Educate Yourself on Current Scams
As briefly mentioned, cybercriminals are becoming a lot more advanced. Now, new scams are cropping up daily, and it is essential that you – and no other members in your organisation fall victim to them. Therefore, you must always keep up to date with the news.
New scams are often reported on, and if you gain knowledge of them, it can help you avoid them in the future. For example, phishing emails are a common form of cyber-attack, and they are becoming very common. These emails trick and manipulate the recipient into handing over personal and sensitive information about your company. Some emails even send a link. If the recipient clicks it, a virus can then attack the software on their computer. You should always inform your team to read over any emails they receive carefully. If they spot anything suspicious, they should flag it straight away.
Create An Incident Response Plan
There are never any guarantees that your business will not fall victim to a cyber-attack. Therefore, it is important that you have a plan in place in the event of a security breach. The plan will need to be shared with the necessary people in your company. Your incident response plan should clearly indicate how you will diagnose the issue, how you will respond to it and how you will recover. If you have never created a security plan like this before, you will need to conduct some research to ensure that you are getting it right.
Take a look at what your incident response plan should include. It is always best to prepare for these situations. Without the correct preparation and plans in place, your business could struggle to get back up and running if you fall victim to a cyber-attack.
Keep Software Up to Date
Software updates are crucial. These updates often contain bug fixes and security patches designed to amend any weaknesses in the software. As well as heightening your security, it makes it a lot more difficult for cybercriminals to hack into your system. Updates can often take a long time, and therefore they are easy to push back. However, you should always make an effort to update your software as soon as you get a notification. Try installing the updates overnight – if you are worried about it disrupting the workday. Once your software is updated, you can have peace of mind that you are doing your bit to protect your companies personal and sensitive information.
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