According to the Small Business Administration, 88% of small business owners feel vulnerable to cyberattacks. All it takes is one data breach to bring your company to its knees.
Do you know how to protect yourself, your employees, and your data from online threats?
Technology constantly evolves, but that doesn’t mean you have to allow yourself to be a target. Keep reading as we break down a few of the most essential strategies for protecting yourself from a global network of cyber criminals.
Rethink Your Password Strategy
It seems like the most obvious business security tip you could think of, yet many individuals still use weak passwords that take mere seconds to crack. For reference, here’s a look at the top three password choices:
- 123456
- 123456789
- qwerty
If that doesn’t make you rethink your philosophy on passwords, nothing will. We’re in an era of technological sophistication, yet few businesses take the time to administer proper password protocols.
You can’t afford to use insecure passwords anymore. A proper code of conduct suggests all employees use alphanumerical passwords that feature at least one special character, such as a punctuation mark or number, as well as at least one capital letter.
Conduct Thorough Background Checks on Employees
In 2016, IBM noticed a disturbing cyberattack trend: 60% of all attacks came from the inside.
While it’s possible to attribute some of this to human error, the fact remains that attacks from inside a business are a very real possibility, and that businesses have to recalibrate their hiring techniques to account for these breaches.
Background checks are an easy, fast, and efficient way to double-check a soon-to-be employee’s history. Taking a few extra days to conduct a background check can save your business a great deal of trouble.
Back up All of Your Data…and Then Some
The first thing that any security expert will tell you is to back up your data. But that’s only about half of the story, it’s not as simple as grabbing an external hard drive.
Your data needs to be encrypted, particularly if it contains crucial personal information like a client’s medical history.
Most experts also suggest keeping some of your data off-site, so that even if an attack occurs, you can recover quickly.
Invest in Security Solutions
If the facts above sent your head spinning, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to stay safe online.
Outsourcing is one of the best ways to keep your business safe without overspending. Partnering with a company like Visore affords businesses access to vital data that shows where attacks come from, what security methods need improvement, and how companies can take practical steps to enforce cybersecurity.
Think of an IT agency as your personal guardian angel. They’ll spot threats before they’re an issue and address them swiftly, allowing businesses to focus on the work that matters most.
Protect Your Business From Online Threats
Online threats will only become more prevalent as companies continue to rely on technology. While tech doesn’t have to feel like the Wild West, remember that you can take some easy steps to keep your company safe.
For more tips on business security, make sure to check out the rest of our tech blog.
