Is your business prepared for a cyber-attack? What would happen if someone tried to breach into your systems? If you haven’t already implemented the necessary measures to prevent a cyberattack, chances are they’d be successful. Many small business owners make the mistake of assuming that only larger companies are susceptible to cyber-attacks.
As a result, they fail to take any steps to mitigate the risk. In a twist of irony, this is the very reason small businesses are a major target for cybercriminals. The National Cyber Security Alliance reported that within six months of a cyberattack, 60% of small companies go out of business. It’s a growing threat that can easily cost you your entire company.
That said, protecting your business only takes a few simple steps. Let’s take a look at the most important ones below.
Use the Right Software
Malware infection accounted for over half of all cybercrime in 2017 and ransomware is becoming an increasingly prevalent risk to small businesses. Invest in the right anti-malware and ransomware protection software that is geared specifically towards preventing these threats. Keeping your software up to date is just as important.
Implement Hardware Security Measures
The most sophisticated security software is of no use if your hardware isn’t protected. Start with the basics. Use complex, encrypted passwords to secure your on-site hardware and consider storing your data in the cloud instead of using physical drives. Be sure to install trackers on your most important hardware to prevent physical theft.
Train Your Employees
Social engineering is one of the most popular methods that cybercriminals use to infiltrate businesses and obtain valuable private data. The vast majority of successful attacks are the result of an unsuspecting employee who opened a malicious file or followed a link. This is why your staff must be educated on the basics of cybercrime.
Make sure that your team knows how to identify suspicious attempts made to communicate with your business. Implement strong cybersecurity policies and encourage employees to seek out malicious activity within the business as well.
Another effective way to protect your business would be to encourage an employee in the IT department to enroll on an online cybersecurity course. This way, you’ll have an in-house expert available to protect your business as it grows. Get started by taking a look at this online university that offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
Encrypt Your Data
Cybercriminals will have no way to damage your business if the data they’ve obtained is inaccessible. You can render your devices useless if they’re stolen by encrypting the data they contain.
Virtually every operating system comes preinstalled with full-disk encryption software, so be sure to make good use of it. Don’t forget to perform frequent backups so that you don’t lose the data yourself if it’s compromised.
Effective use of these measures will make your business a significantly smaller target to cybercriminals. Keep an eye out for new types of cybercrime and stay up to date with the necessary measures to prevent an attack from happening to your business.