Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world. The devastating impact it can have on businesses in all sectors makes it a formidable enemy of every industry. Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for large corporations and government entities, small businesses are often targeted because they lack the resources to protect themselves effectively.
Regardless of what industry you are in, with the ever-evolving cyber environment, it is crucial to protect your business from hackers and attackers. Keep your data, equipment, and accounts safe from harm by following these five tips below:
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Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails
Employee training is paramount for keeping your business protected from would-be attackers. Teach your teams to recognize suspicious emails and delete them. Phishing scams will always be a popular choice for cybercriminals around the world because they are easy and often catch their unsuspecting victims.
Some of these scams are so advanced that they appear to be impersonating another individual or company, simply to gain access to your company’s private data. Don’t open emails unless you trust the sender and never open attachments or links that aren’t secure.
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Use A VPN
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, provides an additional layer of security for your business. These private networks allow your employees to access your company’s network safely while they are working remotely or traveling for business.
These networks work by funneling data through a secure connection between the internet connection and the websites they want to access – allowing for secure browsing of anything they like. VPNs are particularly useful when using public internet connections like at the airport or in hotels.
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Apply Practical Security Measures
Employ practical security measures to protect your business from cyber threats. If you are concerned about the vulnerability of your business, engage with a Red Team. Red Teams often consist of independent ethical hackers who objectively evaluate cyber security systems.
These professionals often refer to the MITRE ATT&CK framework because it is a useful knowledge base of tactics and techniques to help classify attacks and the platforms attackers are known to target. This living database is continuously growing and updating with the new threat information.
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Create Better Passwords
One of the biggest threats to cyber security in the workplace is poor password choice. Your employees must implement safer, more secure passwords to protect accounts, networks, and company data.
Weak or reused passwords significantly increase the chances of data breaches, identity theft, and other threats. Be unique when choosing a password, always avoid recycling old passwords, and avoid only using one password across various accounts – that is a bad habit.
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Embrace 2-Factor Authentication
Most secure platforms allow users to enable 2-factor authentication to keep their accounts safe. This added layer of security helps verify the user accessing the account and blocks out anyone without authorization.
Enable this security feature wherever you can and ensure that your employees do the same.
To End
Cybersecurity is a crucial business requirement, but it doesn’t have to give you anxiety. Consult a team of professionals if you feel your business is at risk – it’s more than worth the time and money it will take to secure your company’s private information.
