Businesses of all sizes are at an increased risk for cyber attacks. Cyber criminals are getting smarter and evolving with new technology every day, and as such, it’s incumbent upon you to ensure your company and your customers are all protected. Here are some of the biggest mistakes small companies make – and you can avoid – when it comes to cybersecurity, brought to you below by Mike McRitchie.
Failing To Use Cybersecurity Technology
There is a wide range of cyber security products on the market that are all designed to help you protect your data against breaches and your systems against infiltration, ransomware, phishing scams, identity theft, and other cyber crimes. Many businesses – especially small companies – think they’re not at risk, won’t be targeted, and that security costs will bust the budget. However, when you consider the downside of not being protected, you’ll see it’s well worth the investment to hire an expert to not only install cybersecurity systems but to train you and your staff on best practices. According to CNET, this can help significantly reduce the potential for a problem to arise, as well as help prepare you to recover in the event something does go awry.
Forgetting To Back Up Data
It’s absolutely essential that you regularly back up your data and back it up again. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce notes that having redundant systems in place will help ensure that in the event any type of data is corrupted, hacked, hijacked, or otherwise compromised that you will have improved chances of a successful recovery. You’ll also want to ensure your firewall is always on and install antivirus software and keep it updated. Some malicious viruses can invade your system without you even knowing it until the damage is done. Along that same line, keep your operating systems updated – when systems indicate an update is available, act on the prompt, and run the latest spyware. Avoid downloads or accessing sites that are suspicious, and don’t ignore or automatically dismiss warnings of unsecured pages.
If necessary, use a template to generate a monthly planner to help keep your backups on track. This way, you can create an easy-to-use schedule that your entire team can use. These planners also allow you and your team to leave notes, letting each other know about any important information related to your backup processes.
Not Vetting Or Training Employees
It’s easier for cyber criminals to work from inside your company than from outside your company. If you’re in a business where staffers are handling confidential, financial, or proprietary information, vet them properly before putting them on your payroll. You might run a criminal background check, pull their credit, ask for fingerprints, and check all of their references. Employees who are not trained in cyber security measures may also not know what’s expected of them in terms of protections, so create a detailed but easy-to-follow guide for your company that clearly defines your policies. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, teach employees best practices around identifying and reporting threats, protecting information, using a password protection system, and rebooting devices on a regular basis. With so many people working remotely, this becomes an even more important process.
Failure To Plan For Disaster
While it’s never fun planning for the worst-case scenario, having a reaction and recovery strategy in place will be essential to quickly resume your operations and protect your reputation in the event a problem occurs. Different businesses need different recovery approaches, which might mean reverting to pre-breach data, or recovering data at an off-site location. A cyber security professional can help you assess your needs and make customized recommendations. Your plan should ideally detail which applications you’ll need to recover first and list the people who will be involved in recovery efforts. This includes not only your tech professionals or consultants but also your communications team. In the event of a cyber breach, you may need to make a public announcement or inform customers of the issue and let them know about your recovery plans. A skilled communications professional can do this on your behalf.The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has a cyber crime unit that can be an asset when it comes to best practices on protective measures, as well as reporting cyber crime activity. The Federal Communication Commission also offers a downloadable guidebook to help identify threats. Being prepared is your best protection, but recovery is also essential to your business’s long-term success. It will ensure you’re protecting your reputation and retaining your customer base while getting your company back on track.
Leave a Reply