While 2022 comes to a close, cybersecurity threats have been evolving at an alarming rate, taking advantage of dramatic shifts in the way businesses work. Because of this, it’s crucial to stay vigilant to ensure your business operates seamlessly yet securely as you buckle up for 2023.
Cybersecurity is a top priority for maintaining your business’s integrity in the digital age. Regardless of its size, industry, or niche, you can’t expect it to flourish if you leave it vulnerable to leaks, breaches, and sabotage.
Getting managed IT support from a reputable provider can give you a good head start. It provides you with a plethora of tools and services great for analytics and traffic, giving you a good grasp of where your business is in terms of security and opportunities.
Aside from getting managed IT support, here are more ways to protect your business from cybersecurity threats:
1. Audit The Security Plan Of Your Company
A regular, yearly security audit is a great place to start. Doing so allows you to gain a perspective on the issues in your systems along with other security vulnerabilities. With the information you get from the audit, you can reassess the security measures, software, and infrastructure you currently use and see how well they hold up in the face of current threats.
For effective, thorough audits, you may want to work with a reliable security service provider. They offer the latest tools and expertise to give your security plan a thorough testing, pointing out its strengths and weaknesses in ways you can fully act on. Plus, they can provide very helpful recommendations for finding scalable upgrades to your security.
2. Boost Security With Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Implementing 2FA has made it very easy for businesses to create extra layers of protection at the user level. This process involves using separate channels to prove one’s authority to access data and systems, often involving a one-time SMS code, a PIN, or a password.
By adding this extra step, more distance is created between entry points and assets, discouraging cybercriminals from continuing their penetration efforts. Basically, it thwarts unauthorized access attempts and detects suspicious ones. This is incredibly helpful for securing accounts from third-party access since it functions as a shield in case the password is obtained.
3. Implement A Cybersecurity Training Program
Most cybersecurity attacks occur when an unsuspecting employee clicks on a malicious link in an email. So, you should always see your workforce as the initial line of defense against potential cyberattacks.
This is particularly relevant since phishing remains one of the most prevalent ways to steal company data. For those new to the term, it’s the act of getting information through unsuspecting ways, playing on the sense of urgency or complacency in workers. Providing your employees with training may help prevent phishing in the first place.
Your training program should focus on what your employees need to watch out for and also emphasize the importance of doing their part to lower the chances of cyberattacks. This ought to cover safe browsing practices, communications vetting, solid password creation, download tracking, and personal data protection. Make it a regular practice best to provide a certified cybersecurity training program for newly hired employees and yearly training sessions for all employees.
4. Schedule Routine Data Backups
Scheduling routine backups of your company’s critical data will prevent your operations from screeching to a halt whenever you deal with a cyberattack or system malfunction.
Most cyberattacks can leave a business without access to critical client data or financial information necessary for daily operations. In response to them, a data backup provides your business with a much-needed safety net to keep downtimes from going much longer than they need to. In other words, it can help your company bounce back after a cybersecurity attack, allowing you to stay on track with your goals.
5. Update Software Regularly
Maintaining the security of your business involves regular software updates.
Software updates and bug fixes are crucial since they influence your company’s data integrity. After all, security providers regularly update their capabilities in response to changing cyberthreats. It makes sense to keep up with them.
Furthermore, hackers mainly target companies with outdated security systems. Overlooking the importance of regular software updates can put the software, network, servers, and overall IT infrastructure at risk. So, as much as possible, avoid any delays with the installation of software updates and patches.
Always Be Ready
Going digital has done wonders for businesses, but it also has its share of risks. Cybersecurity should be a top priority if you want your business to keep its trajectory in 2023. Start with these steps, then branch out to what your enterprise specifically needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out for expert advice.
