Nowadays, the internet has revolutionized the way businesses perform their operations. As online shopping becomes a norm, enterprises are expanding their reach into digital markets. If you are a business owner, you might have seen how the internet widens your market and makes your transactions faster.
While these changes have been beneficial, there are businesses with unsecured information technology (IT) infrastructure who are left vulnerable to cybercriminals. If some of your business processes are done online, malicious hackers can launch an attack and exploit the vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure. They can steal vital data and use it for their benefit, or they can destroy it and greatly hinder your business operations.
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If you want to check whether your IT infrastructure is robust enough, you can consult companies offering 24/7 technical support, such as Buchanan Technologies, an IT company in Mississauga.
In the meantime, here are some tips on how to protect your business from cybersecurity threats.
- Create A Data Security Culture
A culture of security is a collection of habits, practices, and social behavior that affects the safety of an organization. Building a security culture is the determining factor for an impenetrable defense system.
To move into an enterprise-wide strategy, the first step is to increase cybersecurity awareness among your employees. Train your employees on the fundamentals of cybersecurity so that they will be skilled in identifying threats. Get them involved in your incident report plan by encouraging them to report suspicious online activities such as phishing.
Moreover, you should assign personnel who will be responsible for document control. Restrict access to any sensitive data your company may have. Ensure that employees can only get the data they need—no more, no less.
For instance, if you are to transfer an employee to another office, take immediate precautionary measures, such as removing his account from administrative access. The same policy should be implemented for those who are no longer part of the company. Collect their IDs and entry keys so they won’t be able to enter your system again.
- Leverage Your Cybersecurity With Software Applications
Cybersecurity software is a viable option for today’s businesses. As the value of data grows, cybersecurity is becoming a top priority for organizations in all industries. Enterprises need to protect their systems if they want to avoid data breaches. One way to do this is to use technology solutions.
Safety policies and employee training are important, but they need to be complemented by technology. With security frameworks, technology can take care of a lot of tedious work and automate processes. Here are some examples of cybersecurity software worth investing in:
- Antivirus And Anti-Malware Software
Antivirus and anti-malware software verifies whether the file in your computer has a match in the database of known viruses and malware. This software will then either remove suspicious files or simply warn you of the suspected danger. This will help protect your computer from malicious programs, including malware, ransomware, keyloggers, Trojan horses, and worms.
- Firewalls
A firewall monitors network traffic and filters out unwanted traffic that can harm your computer, system, and network. This application is used for intrusion detection and can strengthen end-to-end security for remote workers.
- Password Management Software
Password management software enables you to log in to websites automatically without having to remember passwords, and it often comes with a feature that generates complex passwords that are difficult to guess. You can also use this application to monitor your accounts and secure your networks for browsing.
- Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are programs that can plug in features into your browser and improve your browsing experience. Having cybersecurity extensions can help prevent website tracking and maintain privacy. Furthermore, these extensions can give you control over how your system is identified when sending data requests.
- Back Up Important Files
Securing a backup copy of important files shows how proactive your business is with cybersecurity. Cyberattacks can be launched anytime, so you should ensure that your data won’t be corrupted or lost completely.
There are various methods of backup you can implement. You can do incremental backups, which means regularly updating the files you have stored. Or you can fully back up your company’s data by migrating it to the cloud or to an off-site server.
Regardless of the method, safety is paramount. For example, if you opt for cloud storage, you should use strong encryption and multifactor authentication. For off-premise storage, keep your server physically secure from theft and intruders.
- Prevent Loss Of Assets With Cyber Insurance
With the rise of cyberattacks on businesses, companies should be vigilant and make sure they’re prepared so they stay five steps ahead of potential data loss. As a business owner, you have the option to purchase cyber insurance to cover everything from compensation to general liability.
Each insurance company has its own policy. You can purchase cybersecurity insurance as a stand-alone policy or as part of a package. Cyber insurance assists you in recovering from financial losses and paying for recovery steps, which includes a monitoring fee, attorney’s fees, breach investigation, and more, in the aftermath of a cyberattack.
Takeaway
Though the primary goal is to protect your business data, having a strong cybersecurity infrastructure comes with the added advantage of giving you a competitive edge. You can provide your customers and employees with a business environment they can trust. If you can protect your business and your customers from cyberattacks, you gain the credibility that people seek in online transactions.
