Cybercriminals can attack companies of any size. They are especially fond of small businesses, which may have fewer controls and be easier to infiltrate than larger organizations. As a manager, part of your job is to keep confidential information safe for your employees, customers, and company. Following these cybersecurity guidelines can increase your success in keeping phishing, malware, ransomware, and other threats at bay.
Implement these nine tips to increase your company’s cybersecurity.
1. Protect Your Data
Keep your company’s data, sensitive information, and intellectual property private. For instance, know how to destroy data that no longer is needed. Also, learn how to report suspicious emails or ransomware.
2. Avoid Pop-Ups, Unknown Emails, and Links
Do not enter personal or company information in response to any communication you did not initiate. Phishers often use pop-up windows and emails to trick someone into clicking a link that may have viruses and malware embedded in them. This can let hackers infiltrate the company’s computer network, potentially leading to a ransomware attack. To combat this, make sure you use email authentication technology to block suspicious emails. Also, avoid opening or downloading attachments from unknown senders. Additionally, hover over a link before clicking to make sure you will be directed to the intended URL.
3. Use Strong Password Protection
Enforce the use of unique, complex passwords. They should include numbers, symbols, and capital and lowercase letters. The passwords should be changed regularly and stored in a password manager.
4. Connect to Secure Wi-Fi
Make sure the wi-fi network being used is secure, encrypted, and hidden. This can be done with a virtual private network (VPN). Keep in mind that public wi-fi can make your data vulnerable to interception.
5. Enable Firewall Protection
A firewall prevents unauthorized users from accessing your websites, mail services, and other sources of information. It monitors your network’s incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent viruses and other threats. Your firewall also manages bandwidth so your network operates at peak performance.
6. Invest in Security Systems
Strong antivirus and malware detection, external hard drives to back up data, and regular system checks are important. This protects your data and alerts your information security manager of potential security issues.
7. Install Software Updates
Keep your software, web browsers, and operating systems updated with the latest protections. Antivirus and anti-malware protection can provide alerts for cyber threats.
8. Back Up Your Files
In case of a data breach or malware attack, make sure your files are backed up. Files may be stored offline, on an external hard drive, or in the cloud.
9. Use Third-Party Controls
Limit which employees have access to sensitive information. Because breaches can start from within the organization, control who can access which data. Be sure to restrict third-party access to information and deactivate it when the job is done.
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