Security for businesses is an absolute must these days, and we’re not talking about having dead locks on your front doors. While physical security and prevention from intruders, theft and vandalism is important, there are far more damaging things out there that you need to protect your business from.
We’re talking about Cyber Security.
Think about all the things you do on a day-to-day basis that require web based technology – advertising, buying and selling, communicating with customers, doing banking and wage payments, updating your customer database and more. Every time you log into your computer you’re potentially putting your business at risk from hackers who want to access your sensitive information.
In this article we’ll take a look at 10 of the most important and essential cyber security measures that businesses should have in place to protect themselves.
1) Antivirus software
Having strong, reliable antivirus software is vital, and anti-malware software is a good idea too. If anyone does manage to get through your security network, the software will detect and remove any viruses, malware, adware and spyware.
2) Complex passwords
The longer and more complex your password, the harder it is for hackers to crack it. A great idea is to use an automatic password generator. These passwords will be unpredictable and difficult to decipher.
3) Install encryption software
If you deal with data that includes credit card information, bank accounts, and clients’ personal details, then encrypting your database alters the information and turns it into unreadable codes. Even if your data does get hacked, it will be useless to the hacker and will remain safe.
4) Limit access
If you have critical data stored, make sure that only a limited number of trustworthy staff have access to this information. Make sure each one has a different password so you can know who logs in and when.
5) Secure smartphones and laptops
Many businesses have staff that use laptops and smartphones out and about when visiting clients. These hold just as much valuable data as a computer in the office, and they’re at higher risk of being lost or stolen. Enabling encryption on these devices is a smart move, as well as having a system that allows you to wipe all data from the device should it be compromised.
6) Don’t ignore updates
How many times have you ignored a security update because you’re in the middle of something, and then you forget to do the update later? Make sure you do your updates immediately or enable automatic updates. Software that is out of date is an easy place for hackers to target and leaves you vulnerable to attack.
7) Install a firewall
Firewalls protect your network by controlling Internet traffic coming in and out of your business. Having one installed is a sensible security move.
8) Backup regularly
Scheduling regular backups to an external hard drive or the cloud is a simple procedure and makes sure that all your data is secured safely. If something happens and your data is compromised or lost, having a complete backup on hand will make the experience slightly less painful.
9) Monitor activity
All this technology is great, but it works even better if someone is using it and monitoring your online business activity closely. Look out for anything that seems suspicious and that would indicate a breach in security.
10 ) Educate your employees
Prevention is better than cure, so teaching your staff how to conduct themselves safely while using business technology is crucial. Make sure your employees know how important your company’s data is and the measures they need to take to protect it.
Don’t get complacent.
Cyber security threats are very real threats, and it makes good business sense to protect yourself as much as possible. Keep your eyes and ears open for suspicious activity, and by making sure you have all your security measures in place it will give you a little extra piece of mind.