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Do you own a small business?
Keeping a business safe does not only mean investing in secure locks and CCTV. Many attacks nowadays happen online, and hackers are only getting more advanced. As a business owner, you must never overlook company cybersecurity.
If you want to keep your business safe from security breaches, you’ve come to the right place. This article covers five crucial cybersecurity tips for small businesses.
Read on to discover how to enhance your online protection as a small business.
1. Don’t Underestimate Your Value
Many small businesses take cybersecurity for granted, believing they are too small to be a target. In truth, small businesses are some of the biggest targets for hackers. Studies show that 1 in 5 small businesses suffer from cyberattacks, and 60% go out of business in 6 months.
Without a response plan, you may become a part of this statistic. Aside from money, you also risk losing intellectual property and sensitive data. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
2. About Your Passwords
Your passwords are the first line of defense when it comes to data protection. It’s best to use strong passwords with unique combinations of numbers and special characters. This reduces the chances of a hacker breaking in with brute force or automated guessing.
Consider taking it a step further and set up two-factor or multi-factor authentication. This adds a layer of security that will require a user to verify with another authentication key. Methods can range from phone number confirmation and temporary codes to biometric passwords.
Keep in mind that this is not 100% foolproof. However, a hacker will have a much harder time trying to get into your business accounts.
3. Update Your Software
Many malware developers and hackers rely on weaknesses to exploit and steal. One of these is having outdated software. Ensure to run regular software updates to get bug fixes for security concerns.
These software updates also consist of patches that address weaknesses from the previous version. Updating your software will make you less of a target against new viruses. Learn more about business IT and security here.
4. Train Your Employees
Company protection is a team effort, and you don’t want a weak link to bring you down. Conduct regular cybersecurity training for your employees.
Train your employees to recognize phishing scams and ransomware attacks. Your team should be able to recognize security threats and evade them.
5. Always Have a Backup Plan
Regardless of your security plan, it’s always good to have a backup in case of an attack. Ransomware attacks are some of the most malicious cyber attacks one may encounter. Businesses that encounter this seldom get their data back.
Consider investing in cloud solutions to keep your data safe. Even if you get attacked, you won’t have to worry about losing everything.
Don’t Miss Out on These Business Cybersecurity Tips
Now you know some great ways to enhance your business’s online security. These simple steps will reduce the risks of a cyberattack happening to your small business. For more cybersecurity tips, check out our other blog posts.
