Today, most businesses have become a cyber criminal’s target. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, 60% of small businesses shut down just after 6 months of an attack. The lack of resources, due to the limited budget, is probably one of the reasons that make these small enterprises susceptible to cyber-attacks. Whether you are going to start a business or already own a business, the first and the foremost thing to consider about your business network is security against fraudulent and unauthorised access.
With the advancement of technology, security breaching has also grown its roots deep in the business sector; however, it has not just been recommended, but essential to secure your business network from cyber-attacks. Even if you are a growing startup or a small business, it is a myth to consider that your network is out of sight for such acts. However, choosing the easy victims has always been the cyber criminal’s thing, much like a thief finds the open window. All sizes of business should stay aware of such cyber attackers. Some of the ways to secure your business from cyber attacks are listed below.
Create strong passwords
Creating weak passwords makes it easier for attackers to hack the system. Always try to manage your passwords as they are the key to your company’s confidential information. Try to encourage your staff to never use the same password for different emails. To create strong passwords, use a password manager and make a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, etc.
Always create Data backups
Having frequent data backups limits the data loss. Creating a data backup is critical in case of any unforeseen data breaches. If backed up data is available, a business can recover and still work even after an attack. Secure your data via the cloud or external storage device; utilise your network and your office locations to create resilience.
Infrastructure Maintenance
Continuous updates of the devices within your infrastructure, servers, switches, routers, firewalls to their latest software/firmware versions makes them less vulnerable to attacks because new security tactics are in play and they definitely have an edge over malware.
Although methods of securing your network can vary amongst businesses, the above mentioned ways should be adopted for every business network’s security.
Train Your Employees
A company’s biggest asset is its employees, but if they are not trained, it can cause some of the biggest security risks to the business. To minimize the accidental and intentional data leakages, give your employee’s security awareness education and training. It is important to keep the staff aware of the latest cyber threats. Periodic training of employees is very necessary to reduce the security vulnerabilities of a business. The employees must be vigilant and alert at all times; they must be trained to avoid any possible threats. Keeping difficult passwords and identifying any phishing link can aid in further securing the network. Employees must also be screened over their capabilities as to whether they can maintain the trust of the company while handling sensitive information.
Get your Coding tested
Website code plays an important role in the security of a company. Hire an Internal Information Security team for testing security errors. Test your website fully with their help. A hacker can easily harm your website in case of an improper or outdated code.
Keep your Wireless Network Secured
Wireless networks can make attacks more convenient for the intruders if the network isn’t secured. For protection, you can hide your network SSID to have it untraceable while making use of encryption along with two factor authentication. All of this can make the breach of a network more difficult and will in turn increase security.
An Endpoint Security Solution (EPS)
To maintain your security check at the device level, application level, and web level. Having broad-based endpoint protection provides you with the assurance of business security. Such EPS give protection to all the endpoints of the company. These endpoints are utilised mostly by attackers to launch malware. Small businesses require very little investment for such acts, but it protects your business from a cyber-attack.
Use Secure Communications Tools
Today, it is common for employees to work for a company from external devices, even ones they own. Such acts raise safety measures. To protect all systems, use a secure unified communication tool. Make sure that all employees’ devices are in sync and up-to-date. Without this, it is highly likely that a vulnerable system can get hacked. Protect your company devices by implementing security-tested communication tools.
Conclusion
It is a fact that breaches are very stressful events for any company. Any person can panic about such incidents, which is a natural process. My tip for you in such a situation is ‘Do Not Panic.’ Panicking will only consume your time and will make the situation more complicated. Working as planned will help you more; that is why taking the measures outlined above are so crucial for business security. Better to lock the windows and doors than to tidy up after a burglary.
We’re ISUMO
We design, build and support complex network infrastructures that deliver the security, scalability and availability that your organisation and users demand. Working as part of your team, supplementing their skills or leading them to achieve exceptional results.
Contact us or give us a call on 0207 871 1476.
