Finding New Ways to Innovate? Here’s How to Protect Your Ideas
Legally protecting your intellectual property with trademarks, patents and copyrights are important and the first thing most companies will seek.
But that’s not the only way to protect your innovation. With everything online, it is also important to consider protecting your network against cyber attacks, viruses, and harmful malware.
Cybersecurity is vital. There are several steps you can take to ensure you keep your network secure and your innovations safe. Here are 4 ways to help you get started.
#1 Regularly change your passwords
A simple task, yet often neglected. If you communicate and collaborate with your team, store files, and accept payments, then regularly changing your password is an effective way of preventing security breaches.
Your password should be changed at least every 60-90 days and should be different for each service, channel, or platform you use. You may also wish to choose a secure password management service that can keep them safe, at your convenience.
#2 Only use secure networks
Many enticing features come with using a shared network, including the price. However, you will sacrifice more than the price, as an unsecured network runs a higher risk of security breaches.
Hackers are talented and can invade some of the most sophisticated networks. Do your research and use a private, secure network.
You can also use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet browsing and protect your IP. A VPN can be particularly important if you have people in different locations or working remotely, to create one secure shared network for your business.
#3 Use virus and malware protection
Virus and malware protection is vital for any business, especially if you have innovations that have not been shared with the public yet and you want to keep them secure from being copied. Many businesses fall victim to ransomware attacks, which can be extremely damaging to your sensitive business information and ideas.
Investing in a safe and trusted virus and malware protection can safeguard your business from a range of different issues, such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. The best protection will usually have a secure configuration, access control, malware protection, firewalls, and patch management.
It’s not just enough to download the software, you also need to ensure:
- It is kept up-to-date at all times
- It prevents connections to harmful websites
- Scans websites and files automatically when accessed by the user
- Maintain a list of approved applications
When choosing malware protection, make sure you conduct thorough research and use a well-known, trusted brand.
#4 Secure communications
Not only is it important to ensure your network is protected, but also your company’s method of communication. It is vital that when you are communicating with other parties, employees, or stakeholders about your innovation or top business secrets, internally or externally, that everyone involved uses secure applications, preferably ones that are encryption-enabled.
It is not enough to pick one option. It is crucial that your business adopts all of the above practices, and more, to ensure your sensitive and important business information and innovations are kept safe. If you are ever in doubt, seek help from security specialists.
