If you’re running an online business, you’re already aware of the importance of cybersecurity. Most online attackers aim at smaller businesses, which means that you might lose money and your customers’ trust.
Alex Lysak, an expert from Scanteam, explains cybersecurity best practices in this article.
Cybersecurity Explained
What are cybersecurity measures? Cybersecurity is a way to ensure that your network and server are safe from any external threat, including threats to hardware, software, and data. Hackers can also disrupt or redirect services on your online platform.
If you have good security on your systems, there will be no threat of unauthorized access to your servers. Corporate cybersecurity has to be top-notch. The protection you use on your personal devices will not be enough to protect your business data.
Importance of Cybersecurity
When you conduct business, you most likely store data and information on your computer system. You might handle anything from financial information, personal data, or intellectual property. This kind of data is crucial for your customers and your business. So keeping it safe should be in the center of your small business cybersecurity strategy.
Possible Cybersecurity Challenges
There might be weak areas in your security of which you’re unaware. Some areas of the network may pose more of a challenge to cybersecurity than others.
Network Security
Since you share information with colleagues over your network, you should protect it against any unauthorized access. You should follow network security best practices to make sure you’re doing everything to ensure safety in your company’s infrastructure.
Application Security
If you make use of apps for business purposes, keep them updated. The app developers refresh security features as they become aware of weaknesses, so updating the app protects you against attacks.
Endpoint Security
With so many people working from home, it is necessary to access networks and servers remotely. This situation might be an additional challenge to the overall information and network safety.
Data Protection
Data protection is an extra layer of security you need to protect customer and company information stored in apps and networks.
Identity Management
Not all your employees require full access to all the business information. For example, there’s no need for the HR department to have access to customer payment details. Identity management ensures that employees have access to information they need to be successful, nothing more.
Best Practices
There are a few things that you can do to follow network security best practices. You may need the help of an IT security expert in some cases, to ensure that your information is safe.
Create and Enforce User Policies
User policy is the policy that you’ll create regarding the use of company computers or mobile devices. Your plan can have acceptable websites and apps that you allow, while also having sites and apps that are blacklisted.
A user policy will enable employees to stay away from sites and apps that might pose a danger. It will also negate the ability of hackers to install malware on the devices through unauthorized apps.
Passwords
Strong passwords are one of the best ways that you can ensure the safety of your systems and should form part of your cyber security plan. Don’t allow users to use passwords such as 1234, or have the password lying around for someone to find. Insist on passwords that contain upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Employees should also change their passwords often.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Part of data security best practices is to set up multi-factor authentication. Adding a second or third layer of protection to your network will help further protect it. In this case, the unauthorized person who has your password meets an additional firewall. For instance, you will often use a fingerprint or facial recognition with mobile devices, together with a password to gain access to information.
Backups
If you do fall victim to an attack, the best thing to have is a recent and reliable backup of your information. Backup all the available information regularly and store it in a secure location. Some software back up your data automatically.
Firewall
This is a primary security measure, but don’t underestimate the importance of a good firewall.
Make Use of Encryption
Use an SSL certificate to encrypt your data. There are different SSL certificates to meet various security needs. You can start by investing in a Comodo SSL license, which will protect your root and sub-domains.
Train Your Employees
One of the data security best practices is to educate your employees to be more aware of the security risks. You should do security training regularly for employees to understand how important IT security best practices are, and how to implement and maintain the security on networks.
Perform Safety Audits
Installing cybersecurity is not a one-time practice. As technology changes and improves, so do security threats. Regular audits will help you pinpoint any weaknesses that develop in your security systems.
Partner with an Expert
All these information security best practices standards and guidelines may seem daunting to carry out alone. It’s a good idea to partner up with a technology expert for better outcomes.
Conclusion
Ensuring the safety of the information that you work with is vital for the success of any business. Following best practices for cybersecurity is in your best interest. The tips in this article should help you upgrade your security and maintain a low-risk environment.
Ransomware Protection Checklist
Ransomware attacks are increasing, but they’re not unstoppable. There is no single layer or control that can be implemented which will completely protect you. Using a layered approach to fight against ransomware and going back-to-basics is the best method to use when defending against attack. Download this checklist for a starting point to protect your organization from the preventable threat of ransomware.
Author Bio: Alex Lysak is a CEO of https://scanteam.pro/. Alex has worked in online marketing since 2011, with his main areas of expertise in marketing research, social media marketing, and SEO. During 9 years of experience, he has helped many products and startups to develop marketing strategies and to implement them further.
Alex is a guest blogger. All opinions are his own.
