But we get it…It’s a hassle, and unless you are running some sort of IT related company, the idea of implementing effective cybersecurity might seem as daunting as trying to plug the hole in the Titanic with a cork and some sticky tape.
Don’t panic; this guide will help take the worry and the stress away so you can concentrate on running your business.
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- Create a Cybersecurity Policy and ensure all employees are involved.
Just because your business isn’t a multinational corporation with headquarters in different continents doesn’t mean that this somehow precludes your business from having a Cybersecurity policy or plan. But it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Cybersecurity policies and plans can be as complicated or as simple as you like, and you can pay an expert to do it all for you, but that can be expensive, especially when you can do most of it yourself with just a little bit of research (See the bit about Google, above).
Steps in your policy can be as simple as never going online without an active VPN (Virtual Private Network), never using open WiFi, and never opening email attachments from unknown sources.
It’s important that your employees are made aware of their responsibilities and kept updated and well-informed when it comes to detecting and addressing possible cyber security issues, especially if they are using the business’s devices. Awareness of potential threats and not being ignorant to their potential severity means that no threat goes by undetected by the business.
Laptops can be left on trains, external hard drives can be stolen, phones can go missing. As well as the hardware costs involved, any customer credit card information or confidential personal information on missing or stolen devices could land your company in an embarrassing or costly legal situation.
Having simple security checks such as password protecting devices, enabling two-factor authentication, limiting data available on mobile devices, using solid antivirus, and utilizing encryption can save you from having to report yourself to authorities and from hoping that clients and customers will forgive you for losing information about them when you have to write a begging letter asking them to continue to do business with you.
Also, a data breach like that could put you out of business.
- Update, update, update.
Seriously. We’ll say that again: Update, update, update.
Regularly update your computers, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. And by this, we don’t just mean keeping your antivirus up-to-date, but everything. Make sure your operating systems and web browsers are up to date to help protect against the latest threats.
You’ll also need to regularly check for new versions of software, including security software, as outdated software can leave you open to cyber threats.