Five Cybersecurity Tips to Help Protect Small Businesses

We all know how crucial cybersecurity is for startups and small businesses. However, it often takes a backseat due to budgetary concerns. This is because it takes a massive investment to hire cyber security consultant and buy sophisticated security tools. Small businesses are usually easy victims due to low levels of security on business networks and devices. This is where having some helpful cyber security tips can help. In this article, we have outlined some of the key tips that can help keep your small business safe from online threats;

1- Draft a Security Policy 

While small businesses usually operate by word of mouth and instinctual knowledge, the cyber security policy is one thing that needs to be documented. This is one issue that grows more unsafe as a startup scales, making data security policy ready from day one the best way to protect itself. Having cybersecurity incident response on your side will help your employees make a robust cybersecurity policy and protect your business data.

2- Secure your Passwords

Begin by creating strong passwords and scheduling a time to change passwords for all business devices. As per research, “more than 63 percent of data breaches happened due to lost, stolen or weak passwords.” So to keep yourself and your business safe from any cyberattack, you need a policy regarding solid passwords to be implemented across your organizational devices. 

Being a cyber security consulting company, we recommend that SMBs change all their business passwords every 60 to 90 days. You can also take advantage of a password manager application. Don’t use the same password on all your business devices. Having the same password for multiple accounts will increase the chances of getting hacked.

3- Use a firewall

A firewall works as the first line of defense against a cyber-attack. Besides the external firewall, it is essential to have internal firewalls to provide further protection. You can also take Consultancy and advisory services of a reputable security company to get your employees trained and updated about cyber threats. It is also essential that all your employees’ devices must have an updated firewall installed on their home networks and devices. 

4- Back-Up Then Back Up Again!

Ransomware attacks have increased by 171% in the past year. Startups and small businesses can limit the threat of ransomware with a response plan containing regular, updated, offsite backups of crucial data and systems. Most of the backup programs run in the background and store the data safely offsite. Moreover, you need to think of a disaster plan in place for your business.

It’s essential to draft a step-by-step, comprehensive plan describing which systems get reinstated first, how long it will take, and who should do the work. Having this plan in place, a startup can significantly decrease the impact of a ransomware attack.

5- Identify Gaps in your Cyber Defense

A vulnerability assessment or penetration testing is performed to stimulate the potential vulnerabilities. On the server, website, plugins, applications, and databases without damaging your website. This will help you identify loopholes and gaps in your IT infrastructure. If you are in search of managed application security service. Hiring a cybersecurity consultant company will help you stay one step ahead of hackers.

These are just a few tips that are very beneficial in the journey of keeping your business protected. Don’t overlook taking advantage of cyber security solutions just because of budget. Remember, a small amount of effort in the initial days of your company will make life enormously easier later on.