A single cyberattack can be devastating to your business. Data can be stolen or compromised, systems can be taken hostage, and money can be stolen. Plus, just one incident can damage an organization’s credibility, particularly if the information that is taken belongs to your customers.
Small and mid-size businesses are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals, and are typically more vulnerable to an attack. Often, this is because they don’t employ the same security measures that would be found in enterprise-level companies, making them prime targets for hackers and other ne’er-do-wells.
If you aren’t sure whether your cybersecurity mechanisms are strong enough, here’s how you can improve.
Test for Flaws
There are reputable tools out there that can help you test the strength of your cybersecurity. By conducting a formal assessment, you can identify vulnerabilities, giving you a chance to proactively mitigate your level of risk.
Similarly, an internal audit may also help you find flaws in your approach. Look at each of your assets and existing solutions to see if they are providing the necessary level of protection.
Increase Awareness
While your employees are a valuable asset, they are also a potential weakness when it comes to cybersecurity. If they aren’t aware of various threats, potentially unsafe actions and the importance of following security-oriented procedures, they may accidentally allow a threat into your environment.
Make sure they understand how to handle customer details and internal data with care. Train them on common threats, including how to spot them and what to do if they think something may be dangerous, like an unexpected email attachment from an unknown sender. By increasing awareness, you can decrease risk, ensuring everyone is taking an active role to enhance cybersecurity.
Implement Strong Policies and Procedures
If you want to keep your systems safe, you need to implement control mechanisms. This can include everything from crafting an acceptable use policy to limiting employee access to specific systems, ensuring that staff members can only connect with data that aligns with their role and responsibilities.
Similarly, outline procedures that support greater cybersecurity. Have a process for removing a person’s credentials when they leave a role, make sure that firewalls, antivirus and anti-malware logs are checked regularly, and have a plan in place for managing attacks in progress.
Be Smart About Technology
Introducing new software or hardware into your systems means you are bringing in a new source of potential risk. Anything from fitness trackers to smartphones can be vulnerable to attack, and can harm your environment if they connect to the network and allow a threat into your workplace. Similarly, each application could have flaws, creating potential points of entry.
Before you add anything new, make sure it is fully vetted. Then, implement any necessary controls to beef up security, such as requiring two-factor authentication, using an MDM solution for mobile devices or requiring encryption.
By following the steps above, you can enhance your cybersecurity. If you are looking for more tips, the team at The Squires Group can help. Contact us with questions and concerns today and see how our cybersecurity expertise can benefit you.
