Businesses big or small are fair game in the virtual world. Hackers are always on the prowl. Creating chaos and costing you and your organization time, money, and security–all among what they call “the three Ps” of hacking.
It’s more than amply clear that cyber security is a must in the modern market. But most businesses struggle with how to secure themselves.
On that note, here are our must-know cyber security tips for small businesses.
1. Establish a Strong Password Policy
Small businesses must prioritize cyber security and establish a strong password policy. Passwords should be longer and more complex. Passwords should contain special characters. Use both uppercase and lowercase characters, and numbers, and be at least 10 characters in length.
Passwords should not include any personal information, such as:
- address
- birth date
- name
All passwords should be changed regularly and users should be cautioned against the reuse of passwords.
2. Invest in Disaster Recovery Planning
This is an important cyber security measure for small businesses. Disaster recovery planning involves developing procedures, policies, and technology tools. This help mitigates the risks associated with natural or man-made disasters.
A disaster recovery plan establishes priority objectives, methodologies, and resources. This allows a business to quickly restore its operations. Businesses should also have policies and procedures in place for:
- user authentication
- system access control
- data encryption
If you wish to learn more about disaster recovery planning, check out the Erwood Group.
3. Educate Employees on Cyber Security Practices
Employees are a critical component of any small business’s cyber security strategy. To ensure a high level of network security, employers should educate their employees on cyber security best practices.
Begin by developing a cyber security policy that highlights areas of concern. It must provide clear expectations for employee behavior. Ensure that all employees, from top to bottom, are trained in the policy and understand their role in cyber security.
4. Regularly Update Software and Applications
This is one of the most critical cyber security tips for small businesses. By keeping these up to date, small businesses can ensure they are less vulnerable to potential cyber-attacks.
Updates often include security patches. These patches block potential access points that attackers can exploit. Regularly updating software and applications ensures businesses are using the most recent version. This includes the latest features, functionality and security.
5. Use Security Protocols for Data Transfer and Storage
Small businesses are increasingly relying on cyber security protocols to protect their data. Key protocols help protect data transfer and storage by encrypting the data such as:
- TLS/SSL
- SFTP
- VPNs
To ensure businesses are properly secured, they should ensure they are using the latest encryption protocols, such as TLS 1.2.
Businesses should also ensure that their web servers and other services support the encrypted transmission of data. This is to protect sensitive or confidential information from eavesdropping and data manipulation.
They should also avoid storing valuable or sensitive data on devices that are connected to the internet. These include servers and computers as these can be targeted by malicious actors.
Learn From These Cyber Security Tips
Cyber security is essential for all businesses, especially small businesses. Following best practices like using complex passwords, implementing two-factor authentication, and training employees can help prevent cyber-crime within small businesses.
By taking the simple steps outlined in this article, small businesses can remain secure and competitive. Act now and start implementing cyber security tips for small businesses to protect your organization.
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