Cybercrime is on the rise and many organizations are on high alert after waves of ransomware attacks have hit various establishments around the world.
It seems that with each new security update and product businesses get for their systems, cybercriminals invent new and more insidious ways to breach organizations. But all hope isn’t lost. Rather than wait for a cyber-attack to hit your business and put you in a reactive position, you can place yourself in a proactive position by putting in place the following measures to protect your business.
- Sensitize Your Staff
The first and most important step to take in protecting your business against cybercrime is to sensitize your staff. You’ll be surprised the many ways hackers can get into your business’ systems thanks to the carelessness of your employees. Thus, provide employees with important rules concerning the company system. Said rules should include quality of passwords, logging out, sort of websites employees ought not to visit while using the company network, and others. But creating rules for employees isn’t enough. Ensuring that laid down guidelines are actually being followed is another issue entirely. For effective results, you can hire a security expert to train your staff.
- Protect Company Computers
All computers used within your organization need to have their security reinforced if you hope to protect your business against cybercriminals. In addition to securing computers, incorporating solutions for Cyber Threat Detection can help protect mobile devices used by employees, ensuring comprehensive protection against threats such as malware, phishing, and unauthorized access. Some of the steps you can take to boost security of your computers include;
- Limiting the number and sort of devices that can access your company’s systems – Especially external memory and mobile devices.
- Have effective antivirus installed on all your computers and have the antivirus updated as soon as a new update is made available.
- Aside from passwords, firewalls are another effective means of protecting your computers. When firewalls are used in combination with other web application security solutions like bot management, API security, and DDoS mitigation, they can be even more efficient at warding off digital attacks on your business.
- Don’t ignore Operating System updates. It might seem like a hassle frequently updating various computers but it’s worth it. According to Microsoft, the WannaCry ransomware attack could have been avoided if the Windows computers that were affected had simply been updated as at when due.
- Prepare For a possible Invasion
At some point, a cybercriminal is going to set his/her sights on your organization. In the event such an attack is successful, you need to be prepared by ensuring the following is in place;
- Have data backups created regularly of all important information on various systems.
- Comprehensive business insurance for your establishment. You can also purchase cybercrime insurance or cyber liability insurance.
- Install intrusion detection that will notify you immediately your system has been breached. Once an intrusion is noticed, your IT department can take proper steps.
- Sensitive Information should have restricted access
Only top-level officials or necessary employees should have access to your organization’s most sensitive information and data. The restricted access will mean less available entry points for hackers
- Hire a Security Expert
If you want to enjoy assured rest of mind concerning the cyber safety of your business, your best bet is probably to outsource your cyber security to an expert outfit. It’s like being personally protected by a professional bodyguard.
By implementing the aforementioned tips, your business’ cyber safety will be better guaranteed.