One of the biggest threats to any business is a cybersecurity breach. Historically, this was only a risk to technology companies who work with complex computer systems and process vast quantities of data, but nowadays almost all businesses are online. Even companies as diverse as pet shops, clothing retailers, and building firms are all reliant on computers and the internet to do business. These companies host their own websites, manage social media accounts, and store customer information digitally. If the internet were to go down, most of these organisations would struggle to operate until the problem was fixed.
Although technology is undoubtedly a boon to businesses large and small, the increased reliance on it opens them up to a greater level of risk. Organizations are susceptible to malicious attacks, accidental data breaches, viruses and much more. Employers must be aware of these threats and constantly vigilant if they are to avoid them. Otherwise they risk potential operations disruption, loss of profits, and legal action.
To help you avoid these risks in future, here are four steps to improve your business cybersecurity in 2022.
Manage passwords
One of the most common breaches when it comes to cybersecurity is passwords. Most of the time, employees are responsible for setting their own login details for their computers and software accounts. But people have bad memories and often set passwords that are easy to remember and therefore guess. A password manager application helps your team to set strong passwords, while also securely storing information so they don’t have to memorise – or worse, write down – their details.
Train your team
Not everyone is a technology wizard, and many of your employees will not know how to recognise and avoid potential cybersecurity threats. Providing mandatory training for every member of your team is one of the most effective things you can do to manage risk. You can teach them to spot red flags such as fake domain names, spelling mistakes, and spam emails so they don’t accidentally click something they shouldn’t. Ensuring they know how to update software regularly to ensure it is current and effective is also essential.
Create a BYOD policy
It is now common for employees to work remotely, often using their own personal laptops and smartphones. This is a much more efficient way of working than being tied to their desk and affords them more flexibility and freedom in their lives. However it does create a significant risk. These personal devices will not have the same security measures that company equipment does, so you need to be careful that they don’t mishandle or lose important data. Create a BYOD (bring your own device) policy so they have clear guidelines and security protocols to follow.
Outsource your security
If you feel you don’t have the resources to manage your cybersecurity in-house, then you may wish to spend a little money to outsource the job to a managed service provider. You can then enjoy peace of mind that your technology infrastructure is safe, while they take care of things like password management, endpoint detection and response, firewalls, and software updates. This gives you extra time to focus on growing your business.
