Keeping information safe and secure is a challenging endeavor for small and mid-sized business. Shifts from in-person to online to hybrid workplaces have forced companies to change, or at least reexamine, their workplace cybersecurity practices. Far too often they are not prepared. In fact, according to CyberEdge’s Cyberthreat Defense Report, 85% of organizations suffered from a successful cyberattack in 2021.
It does not matter if your business has suffered a cyberattack, or you have been fortunate enough to avoid being a victim of breaches and hack. You are looking at ways you can bolster your defenses and safeguard your organization’s data. But which plans, practices, and services should you invest in?
Below are 4 steps businesses of all shapes and sizes can take to better protect themselves against cyber attacks:
Identify “Crown Jewels” of Your Business
Understanding what information cybercriminals are after most is essential to workplace cybersecurity. Start by documenting where your important data and information is stored and who has access to it. This practice ensures that business leaders have a track record of accessibility. Also, that they know where to look in case of a vulnerability or breach. We recommend creating an inventory list of the valuable data and assets within your organization. For physical assets, include the manufacturer, model, hardware and software information.
Protect Assets by Updating and Authenticating
At the end of the day, protecting your data and devices from malicious actors is what cybersecurity is all about. In order to accomplish this, make sure your security software is current. Investing in the most up to date software, web browsers, and operating systems is one of the best defenses against a host of viruses, malware, and other online threats. Additionally, make sure all data is being backed up. Backups can be in the cloud or via separate hard drive storage.
Another important way to keep your assets safe is by ensuring staff are using strong authentication. This protects access to accounts and ensures only those with permission can access them. This includes strong, secure and differentiated passwords. According to a 2021 PC Mag study, 70% of people admit they use the same password for more than one account. Using weak and similar passwords makes a hacker’s life a lot easier. Weak passwords can give them access to more materials than they could dream of. Finally, make sure employees are using multi-factor authentication. While this may result in a few extra sign-ins, MFA is essential to safeguarding data and can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful breach.
Monitor and Detect Suspicious Activity
Your organization should always be on the lookout for possible breaches, vulnerabilities and attacks, especially in a world where many often go undetected. Invest in cybersecurity products or services that help monitor your networks such as antivirus and end point protection software. Moreover, make sure your employees are following all established cybersecurity protocols before, during, and after a breach. Individuals who ignore or disregard important workplace cybersecurity practices can compromise your entire organization.
Have a Response Plan Ready
No matter how many safeguards you have in place, the unfortunate reality is that cyber incidents still occur. However, responding in a comprehensive manner will reduce risks to your business and send a positive signal to your customers and employees. Read our post on 5 Reasons Your SMB Needs an Incident Response Plan to learn more.
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