Cybersecurity is a big concern for small and medium-sized businesses. This security threat has amplified in 2021 since Covid-19 came into the picture and the advent of ‘work from home.’
Every business should have solid strategies for cybersecurity and strong incident response plans if they want to stay afloat. If you have no idea of where to start, you can start with the following ways to protect your business against these threats:
1. Perform a Risk Assessment
Evaluate all the potential risks, which may compromise the security of your business’s information, networks, and systems. Analyzing and identifying possible cybersecurity threats will help formulate a good plan to plug all the security gaps.
As part of the risk assessment effort, examine how and where your data is stored and who can access it. Plus, identify who may access your data and how they can obtain it.
Once you analyze the risks and identify potential threats, use that information to refine or develop good security strategies. Remember to revise and review the strategies regularly and every time you make substantial changes to information usage and storage.
2. Set up Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Surge Protector
UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) may give you enough time and battery life to save data during power disruption. Ensure the UPS size and type will meet the requirements and standards of your company.
You should plug every networked device and computer into a UPS. For non-networked equipment and less sensitive devices, a standard surge protector will suffice. Ensure you replace and test every surge protector and UPS as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Avoid Document Theft
Your office probably has documents and papers lying aimlessly in different places, including printer stations and desks. Sensitive documents may easily fall into the wrong hands. Even when they’re not taken from your office, visitors can still see sensitive information.
Every reliable data security company suggests that the best way to avoid the accidental revelation or theft of sensitive information and documents is to institute clear-desk policies. Such policies should include ensuring all documents are put away and desks cleared.
4. Train Workers
Most attackers are savvy about looking for a point of entry into your network and systems. This can be unsuspecting workers who fall for phishing or with a weak password.
Ensure you workers are familiar with how cybercriminals might trick them and identify suspicious phone calls/emails, particularly those that seem to be from another department and friends.
You can also create a team atmosphere as part of the awareness training initiative. Encourage every member to watch out for one another and be an extension of your security team.
5. Install a VPN
VPN systems usually create encrypted tunnels, which the internet traffic travels through to ensure third parties don’t see them.
Installing and setting up a reliable VPN will just need a couple of hours to configure everything. You can also consider installing VPNs with multifactor authentications to have a stronger defense.
Closing Remarks!
The media often reports businesses being hacked into, suffering online service attacks and data breaches. Although attacks on multinationals and big corporations make the headlines, SMBs (small and medium businesses) are usually the forgotten victims.
In fact, cybercriminals actively target SMBs because they lack the resources, which big companies have. The good news is that you don’t have to invest a lot of money to keep your business safe. Minor ways like installing a secure VPN and avoid clearing documents off the desk will suffice.
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