Cybersecurity is something more companies need to pay attention to. This is true whether or not you’re a recently-formed small business, a non-profit charitable organization, or a major enterprise. Customers are also increasingly paying attention to how companies handle sensitive data, and with the increase in high-profile data breaches across the country, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your own cybersecurity practices.
Good cybersecurity comes down to ensuring that your employees understand what is expected of them, while also instituting company-wide policies that protect you and your customers’ data. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind as you work to address your cybersecurity hygiene.
Have your employees follow these simple steps
Your employees are your frontline defense when it comes to keeping hackers and other bad actors at bay. As a result, reminding your staff members to practice a few basic habits when using technology can go a long way in preventing a major outbreak. For starters, make sure that your employees’ password-protect all wireless routers in their office and use strong passwords for their computer and other accounts.
Beyond these simple steps, you’ll want to make sure that each member of your team regularly backs up their data. This can help you protect yourself from losing a lot of progress thanks to a ransomware attack or other similar issues where a virus wipes your hard drive. Speaking of viruses, make sure that your team members actually update their antivirus or antimalware software! Malware is constantly evolving, and so it’s crucial that each computer in your office is up-to-date and ready to combat it.
What can I do as an employer?
While a lot comes down to the individual actions of your team, there are steps you can take as an employer to help protect your business, too. After all, part of building a company culture that takes cybersecurity seriously is offering your team the tools they need to succeed.
For example, rather than rely on your staff to make strong passwords on their own, you can purchase a password manager or even offer two-factor authentication methods on all critical accounts. Similarly, you can help them back things up by subscribing to a cloud service that makes this kind of work automatic, rather than counting on them to remember each week to back up their files themselves.
If you need some extra help tackling cybersecurity issues, it may be worth bringing in some outside experts. Scopedive can help you find vetted experts to consult with your business on a freelance basis and help you improve your cybersecurity practices. From helping you stay up-to-date on regulatory compliance in your industry to assessing risk and testing to see how quickly your business can be penetrated by bad actors, you’ll get the information you need to strengthen your company’s IT practices in the area of security.
Best of all, Scopedive helps you lower your overall costs by offering you great service at a fraction of the cost of traditional consultancies. This allows you to more fully invest your IT budget in the equipment you need to stay secure, rather than just paying for advice.
Having good cybersecurity hygiene involves staying vigilant, and it’s easy for employees to forget about some of these things from time to time. That being said, by reminding them on a monthly basis about proper protocol and keeping cybersecurity near the front of their minds through weekly emails, you can make important strides in protecting your business’ interests and your customers’ data. Remember that hackers are trying to outsmart you, and will take advantage of anything in current events to try and find a crack in your defense.
