Tips To Enhance Your Cybersecurity

Tips To Enhance Your Cybersecurity

 

In this day and age, every business needs to be thinking about cybersecurity. Unless you operate your business solely using paper, cash payments, and the US Postal Service; you could be vulnerable to hackers.

While large corporations typically received the most press regarding cyber-attacks, most cyber-attacks target small businesses as they are most vulnerable due to lack of awareness of the treat and need for protection. There is good news. It is surprisingly easy to prevent vulnerabilities in your company’s cybersecurity. These simple steps described below are a great start toward cyber threat protection. 

 

Use Two-Step Verification

Two-step verification is a great way to amp up your cybersecurity. As the name suggests, before accessing your personal and business accounts, you are required to perform a second identifying action after entering your password. 

 

Once the first verification is provided, the two-step verification system sends a text message to a phone number or email address you provide. This text message contains a randomly generated code which you enter in order to continue with the login process.

 

Backup Your Data

What if a hacker decided to change your passwords and your company lost all access to its data? What if they delete all of your information? By storing all your data and information in one place you run the risk of losing it all if you get hacked.  

 

A data backup is a digital copy of your original data used to recover your work in case of disaster. Most modern software programs have the means to automatically back up whatever data you tell it to, but you can also simply copy document-by-document if you prefer.

 

Be sure to store your backup on an external hard drive, or flash drive. DO NOT keep the backup on the same storage device as the original as this will defeat the purpose of a backup.

 

Up-To-Date Antivirus Software

A most definite in cybersecurity is antivirus technology. Do some research to find the right one for your size company and needs. Once the software is installed, set up auto-updates and make sure they’re happening! Failing to regularly update your antivirus software will make it ineffective, making you more vulnerable to a cyber attack.

 

Additional Suggestions

Some tips all employees should know:

• Never share passwords, and change them every 3 months
• Use two-step verification for work computer log-in and all relevant business software log-in
• Don’t open unexpected emails from strangers or unexpected attachments. Even if the attachment is from a trusted person, confirm they sent it before downloading
• Backup your data regularly, and know where it’s kept. Immediately report any missing data.
• Turn off computers before leaving at the end of the day

You should think of cybersecurity the same way you think of security for your office; with locks and alarm systems.