Just because you’re not a large organization with millions of dollars in assets doesn’t mean a cyber criminal won’t attack your network when given the opportunity. In fact, these cyber criminals actually aren’t as concerned with the size of an organization as they are with ease of entry and selecting easy targets. That’s why having quality IT support for a small business is so critical, since all it takes is one mistake to potentially lose everything. Here are five simple cybersecurity tips every small business executive should put into practice.
Use A Secure Firewall and Encrypt Information
A firewall and encryption are two of the most basic things every organization must have in place. This not only provides a barrier for hackers looking to intrude your network, it also doesn’t allow them to see any of your information in the event that they are able to hack into your system. And if you have a Wi-Fi network in your office, be sure to secure it with a strong password and hide it so only people in your company can get on the network.
Backup Your Data
You never know when your servers may get attacked or even simply crash. Sometimes your disaster recovery plan can ensure you don’t lose any important data, but it’s only effective if you have regular data backups in place. Working with managed security services providers can help you determine what data is most important, and they can also perform frequent backups in the background so workflow won’t be interrupted.
Mobile Security
Mobile security concerns are increasing rapidly, since many companies allow their employees to perform work-related tasks on their devices. Some of the easiest things to do are to require employees to protect their devices with passwords, install security applications and report any suspicious activity or stolen devices. Your managed security services providers will also suggest only using private or secure Wi-Fi networks for added security as well.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication when logging into a network, server or website is important, and is something employees resist the most. Adding another layer beyond just entering a password takes a few extra seconds, but provides a major safeguard to your data. Implementing multi-factor authentication practices may create pushback from employees, so explaining the value and reasoning behind it could be necessary.
Educate Employees on Cybersecurity
Finally, employees who understand why cybersecurity practices are in place are more likely to abide by the rules without cutting corners. You can give them some general education on the topic as well as provide them with specific details on what a disaster recovery plan entails. The more they know about the potential risks and consequences, the higher the chances are of them prioritizing cybersecurity.
Single Point of Contact is one of the leaders in providing IT support for small and mid-size businesses. We know implementing cybersecurity practices in an organization is challenging, but we also know how critical it is to have them. We are here to help you every step of the way, so contact us at any time to create a more secure business that gives you some peace of mind.
