Cybersecurity

Essential Tips to Enhance Cyber Security for a Small Business

The word “CYBERSECURITY” is now a part of the daily news cycle as governments and businesses alike continue to endure breaches in their networks. As costs of such transgressions rise, it is crucial that businesses, large and small, develop a business continuity and conflict response plan. Cybercriminals don’t pursue only the big companies, on the contrary, the smaller companies are softer targets and easier to perceive. And because of a network violation can be so overwhelming to a business, every business should take proactive measures to protect its network and devices.

Most small businesses agree that cybersecurity is a grave issue, but is your business actually doing anything to prevent attacks? Just as technology makes life easier for business owners, it leaves entrepreneurs and their customers more vulnerable than ever to cyber attacks. The global cost of cyber is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2019 triple the amount from 2015 and studies show small businesses are most at risk. Small firms are usually easy targets for cyber thieves because they have less money to spend on digital security, neglect to consistently update their initial systems and do not properly train their employees on how effectively ward off attacks.

If you’re a small business owner who thinks that you don’t need to worry about cybersecurity, think again. The Ponemon Institute’s 2016 State of SMB Cybersecurity record surveyed 600 small businesses, finding not only that “no business is exempt to a cyber attack or data breach,” but that a surprisingly high number of small businesses suffered cyber attacks in 2016.

According to Ponemon:

  • 50% of SMBs were breached in 2016.
  • The most prevailing attacks against SMBs were web-based and phishing/social engineering.
  • 59% of SMBs have no visibility into employee password practices and regimen.
  • 65% of SMBs that have a password policy does not strictly enforce it.

If you own a small business, it is likely you understand the importance of cybersecurity. There are many steps your business can take to help stay safe on the internet. Below, we will cover

13 ways your small business can improve their cybersecurity

 

  • Conduct a security check Annually:

A security advisor should be brought in every year to determine if there are any malfunctions in your system. It is like they will guide you with new technologies that your business should implement in. This is the major step to follow for any small business in order to overcome the vulnerable.

  • Perform security standards Immediately:

When you initialize your business, it is important to implement a strong password procedure which can save you from many headaches later on. It is the best one to find a password policy that can be used throughout your company then consistently maintain it for every user.

  • Talk with employees about cybersecurity:

Your business is only as strong as your flaccid link. It only takes one employee losing their phone or laptop to put your business at risk. Have an etiquette to follow by every employee to keep their systems safe always.

  • Assure to follow the plan:

Make sure that every employee is implementing the plan of password policy that you brought in. Else, the time and effort you put into it are wasted.

  • Introduce two-factor Authentication:

Accounts for the business are important, so enable two-factor authentication for the entire team. So this extra step is important, even it isn’t foolproof.

  • Password Management Utility:

Password Management app helps the small business to strengthen substantially. This password management app can take advantage of passwords that are easy to remember but hard to hack by centralizing the password process.

  • Stay Updated with security issues and vulnerabilities:

It is important to stay up-to-date about potential security threats, regulations, compliance and solutions for the security of your business. Taking the time to educate yourself is a well worth effort when it comes to cybersecurity.

  • Automatic updating of systems:

Automatic updating of systems will reduce all type of cybersecurity attacks. If the business being attacked, simply update their systems regularly, the attacks could have been avoided.

  • Have a plan of action for issues with mobile devices:

Employees should be required to install the security apps and encrypt the data to help protect the business data that often occurs on public networks.

  • Secure Wi-Fi Network:

If you have Wi-Fi network make sure to protect the router with a password. It is important to make it secure by encrypting and hiding it. You need to set up your router access point, so the network name is not broadcasted.

  • Use a Firewall:

Installing a firewall will greatly increase your cybersecurity. To keep the third parties from taking over your system by using good anti-virus on your system and malware software.

  • Back up Data:

Unless you are willing to lose data at once, it is crucial to backup all your data that will save the time and money. There are many programs that can back up your data daily or weekly.

  • Always stay on top of cybersecurity:

Unfortunately, many businesses become smug when it comes to cybersecurity. Stay connected to better secure ways for your business online.


At present cybersecurity is a crucial part of running a business successfully. If you are interested in setting up a cybersecurity for your business, or if you need help with strengthening your current cybersecurity, give us a call today at Krify. We can help protect you from threats your business may face online. Do contact us today.

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