Given the uncertain times we live in today, awareness of cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. Each day newer and more persistent business threats emerge, making it imperative to have a solid security solution or plan.
Though tragic, stories of firms shutting down due to a security breach or going bankrupt from paying heavy fines for non-compliance aren’t unheard of. Besides plain foolishness, it can also be costly to ignore the ever-increasing threats, such as ransomware and SQL injections. In cybersecurity matters, prevention is key. So, the following article will list some measures companies can take to prevent breaches and safeguard their business effectively.
Allow Restricted Access
Gone are the days when employees enjoyed access to every file on their systems. Modern businesses are finally realizing the extent of cybercrime threats and restricting access to critical data. For instance, there’s no reason for an assembly line worker to be peaking into the company’s financial statements. By allowing restricted employee access to specific documents, companies can reduce the number of people falling victim to a malicious link. As the business landscape progresses further, most firms want their records neatly partitioned, allowing access to the only necessary personnel.
For this reason, employers are now actively searching for candidates having at least a basic grasp on data theft and cybersecurity. The current pandemic situation has made acquiring a college harder than ever. Plus, most tech-savvy individuals are inclined towards remote learning and work opportunities because they get to stay in their comfort zone while growing their careers. Therefore, enrolling in this masters in cyber security online might be a better idea than a hectic traditional education. Besides, e-learning has leaped and bound for security experts
Put Up Centralized Firewall
A strong firewall acts as the first line of defense between your system and the internet. They are also one of the best measures for preventing the introduction and spread of cyber threats. Therefore, remember to put up the necessary firewall devices. It’s also essential to check on them regularly and see if there’s a need for updates or they might not work effectively.
Training the Employees
Training and educating the company’s employees about potential breaches is yet another key security measure. Incorporate the importance of security into the organizational culture and hierarchy, from staff to senior managers. That way, you can ensure that everyone in the company adopts the security best practices and limit your chances of experiencing a data breach.
Sometimes, employees who are part of a well-established firm don’t find their current positions fulfilling and want to be involved in other functions. For instance, a tech and data enthusiast won’t like being stuck behind a desk filing papers and would instead prefer working on data/information-related tasks. If you can relate to that example, check out this guide on how to become an information security analyst to get started.
Creating Data Backups
What is a business’s most valuable asset? It’s the data and information. And that’s precisely the reason why cybercriminals find it so attractive to exploit. Thus, it’s essential to back up and safeguard any such assets containing sensitive information. Creating backups provides an added shield in protecting your business against critical security threats like ransomware.
Regularly Updating Software
The first measure all cybersecurity experts recommend is regularly updating your organizational operating system and software. Try to install updates and patches as frequently as possible. A network is exposed to more risk when its programs aren’t updated and patched. You can employ one of the many readily available security tools and analyzers available on the market. These tools will check and ensure that everything is up-to-date and patched. Regular software updates might be the easiest and economical approach for safeguarding the network and preventing cyberattacks.
Securing the Wi-Fi Network
Though Wi-Fi technology offers its share of advantages, it also poses severe threats to a company’s security. A virus or malware can easily infect one device through a compromised network and spread across many others if run on the same business network. As a result, the whole system becomes prone to risk.
Hiding and securing your company’s Wi-Fi network is one of the top security measures you can take. As your business progresses and the world continues to launch more devices daily, the risk of exposed Wi-Fi networks looms larger.
Using Identity Management
Though no business is entirely risk-free, this risk amplifies when others work under a business owner’s command. Sometimes, it can be installing software on company-owned devices that can potentially compromise the systems.
So, to mitigate this problem, businesses should try enforcing admin rights and restricting staff’s ability to install (or access) specific data on the company network. Such measures can do wonders to safeguard a business’s security.
Setting Strong Passwords
And finally, your security measures will be futile without a strong password and a policy to enforce it. Some steps for creating a hard-to-identify password include:
- Making it a using a combination of upper and lower-case letters and numbers
- Always ensuring it contains a minimum of eight to twelve characters
- Implementing two-factor authentication
- Never using personal information
- Routinely resetting it
- Using separate ones for multiple accounts
Establishing a strict password policy is a great way to ensure that the employees follow the security best practices. Additionally, you could dabble into technology solutions for enforcing such policies, such as routine password resets. Keep searching for suitable password strategies that improve your particular business’s security.
In Summary
Most businesses don’t know where to begin addressing cybercrime. The constant influx of contradictory information from all angles and every medium can make these decisions seem even more overwhelming. Most companies can prevent significant data breaches and loss of valuable assets by including the mentioned strategies in the article. Some of these comprise backing up data, updating software, restricting access, and employee training.
