6 Things to Do to Improve Your Company’s Cyber Security

These days, it is more important than ever to think about keeping your business highly secured. It is a sad fact that security breaches and other cyberattacks occur in businesses on a daily basis. Criminals have become more sophisticated and savvy, which means your business can fall prey. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to improve your company’s cyber security.

Implement a Plan

First and foremost, you must have a plan in place for ensuring that your company stays secure. This means acknowledging that cyber security is a real threat to all businesses big and small. Devising a plan that you will implement is one of the best ways like finding a pen testing company to ensure that your company can improve its cyber security measures. Make sure you document all of the steps to take in the plan and have your employees review it thoroughly. One way to do this is to create a handbook to disperse around the office.

Change Your Passwords

One of the easiest measures you can take to keep your company more secure is to change your passwords. It should be done frequently, at least once every three months. Passwords should also consist of a good mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to guess a password. You should also require your employees to choose a completely unique password each time they are required to change it to stay the safest possible. Cybercriminals gaining access to your business information is among the worst things that can happen so take some time and change your passwords

Use Two-Step Verification

Two-step verification is a must in today’s world of business. It is a cyber security measure that prevents hackers from gaining access to your accounts, even if your password has been compromised. Two-step verification requires another action to be taken after your password is entered, such as adding a code, before you are allowed access. Most often, two-step verification will send you a text message to your smartphone with a random numerical code. This is a standard practice for tech companies like Apple and protects against Denver cyber security attacks.

Make Regular Backups

Making regular backups of your company’s sensitive data is essential. It ensures that you still have access to your information when you need it even if an attack does occur. For example, if your company falls victim to a ransomware attack, you would still be able to have your data intact with a backup in place. It’s also wise to make your backups to both hardware such as an external hard drive and the cloud. The latter can also help in the event that your network is down.

Keep Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software Updated

Always keep all antivirus and other anti-malware software up to date on all devices used by your company. This includes any personal devices that your employees may use for remote work as well. These programs are constantly updated with patches to reflect all of the newest malware out there so that it can protect your computers and other devices from it. Of course, in addition to your antivirus and anti-malware software, you should have a firewall active on all devices to filter what gets onto your network and what does not.

Educate Your Staff

Finally, you must always educate your staff on how they can be smart while online. You should ensure they have training on cyber security and how they can use best practices while online at the workplace. It also helps them in their everyday life at home. One of the best things they can learn is how to spot a suspicious email and to avoid clicking on suspect links or downloading odd-looking attachments that might be filled with malware. Even educating them on turning off their computers before they leave for the day can help your company’s security.

All of these measures can help to strengthen your business’ cyber security. Your company will be better able to grow and thrive as a result.

Alex
 

Alex is a small business blogger with a focus on entrepreneurship and growth. With over 5 years of experience covering the startup and small business landscape, Alex has a reputation for being a knowledgeable, approachable and entrepreneurial-minded blogger. He has a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing small business owners, and is able to provide actionable advice and strategies for success. Alex has interviewed successful entrepreneurs, and covered major small business events such as the Small Business Expo and the Inc. 500|5000 conference. He is also a successful entrepreneur himself, having started and grown several small businesses in different industries.