Business cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges businesses face in today’s digital landscape. With cyber threats increasing, business owners must be proactive and take steps to protect their companies from malicious actors.
Luckily, protecting your company’s cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or expensive task. Here are six ways to improve your business cybersecurity in just one day.
1. Enable MFA for Secured Accounts
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) takes minutes to implement and is one of the easiest ways you can keep your accounts secure. MFA adds an additional layer of security which makes it near impossible for cybercriminals to brute force their way into your accounts by requiring more than just a username and password.
Even if someone were to get your login credentials, they’ll still be unable to gain access without the other form of authentication.
2. Book a Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Your Entire Team
Employees are often the first line of defense against cybercrime or they can be the source of a data breach. However, many companies aren’t taking the time to properly educate their employees on cybersecurity awareness. Around 29% of surveyed employees mentioned their organization offered security training only once per year, possibly indicating that cybersecurity isn’t a top priority for most organizations.
By taking the time to educate your team on cybersecurity best practices and the risks they face, you can reduce the number of security incidents that occur to improve your overall business cybersecurity. And you can ensure that all employees are well-versed in your business’s policies and procedures surrounding sensitive data. This alone will boost your business cybersecurity hygiene.
3. Update Passwords for Stronger Security
Weak passwords are one of the cybercriminals’ favorite weaknesses to exploit. They can easily guess or find out a password with just one attempt. And if they manage to hack into your account, you could face serious fines and penalties for failure to comply with government regulations regarding business data security.
To keep cybercriminals from hacking your accounts, you should:
- Take time today to update all of your business’s passwords and make sure they are strong and difficult to guess (e.g., use eight-character passwords with upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols).
- Use password managers to store these new credentials in a secure and encrypted environment.
- Implement and enforce a company-wide password policy to ensure all passwords are regularly updated.
4. Backup Your Data to Prepare for Emergencies
When it comes to business cybersecurity, prevention is only half the battle. Every business should have a data backup system in place to ensure that any sensitive business information is secure and accessible if needed. Backing up your business’s data regularly (ideally daily), can help you rest easy knowing that no matter what happens, you’ll still be able to access all of your business’s records and information.
Start by implementing an automated backup system that stores data off-site on a secure server or on-site on the cloud. Not only will this make data recovery much easier in the event of an emergency, but it will also help ensure business continuity. Partnering with a managed service provider like Simple Systems in Utah can ensure that your business data is properly protected within a secure backup.
5. Keep Software and Applications Regularly Updated for Impenetrable Defenses
Cybercriminals rely on outdated software and applications to get into business networks. In 2017, Equifax employees failed to update their software which allowed hackers to steal the data of 143 million American consumers. To avoid the same mistake, always keep software and applications up-to-date with the latest security patches.
You can do this by manually checking for updates or automatically setting up notifications whenever new versions become available. Avoid snoozing software updates because they often contain crucial security fixes that can keep your business safe from cyber threats. Regularly updating this will ensure that business data remains secure, and you can avoid any costly security breaches.
6. Clean Up Your Physical Workspace for Cybersecurity Beyond the Screen
Even though business cybersecurity is mostly focused on digital security, there are still many physical steps you can take to protect your business from cybercrime. For instance, it’s important to keep the physical workspace clean and organized.
Make sure that all physical business locations are locked and secure, and clean up any document shreds or other sensitive materials regularly. Remove passwords and user name details from any discarded business equipment or documents, and don’t leave any business devices or computers unattended.
When you do these things, you reduce the number of potential entry points that hackers could use to gain access to business data or other sensitive business information.
Fortify Your Business Cybersecurity Today with Simple Systems
Strengthening your business’s cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a month- or year-long process. At Simple Systems, we have the business cybersecurity solutions you need to make sure your business is instantly protected from cyber threats.
Our business cybersecurity services include everything from regular vulnerability assessments and user access control to security awareness training and incident response planning. Our expert IT consultants are here to protect your business’s data, systems, and networks, so you can focus on running your business.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you bolster your business’s cybersecurity.
