Cybersecurity Tips For Small Businesses
Cybersecurity continues to be a major problem for many small and mid-size businesses around the world. If your company actively uses the internet for its day-to-day operations, then cybersecurity must be a top priority—period.
Most smaller companies don’t have the full range of security resources and measures that are available to bigger companies. Hackers know this, which is why smaller businesses are a perennial target. And you can imagine the damage that a data breach or other type of cyberattack could do to your company.
Fortunately, there’s a simple way to increase your company’s protection: minimize the mistakes you make. Virtual Surge is here with four cybersecurity practices that you should avoid at all costs:
Not Establishing a Recovery Plan
First of all, no matter how thorough you are in your cybersecurity measures, your business will not be 100% guaranteed to prevent every attack. And since about half of small and mid-size companies are hit with a cyberattack each year, chances are you will be threatened at one point or another.
One of the first things you should do is create a recovery plan. This involves putting layers of infrastructure protection in place, using a single interface to manage your data, and having your plan tested regularly so that you know it is still effective. Your recovery plan should also be affordable, easy to execute, and flexible.
Not Backing Up Data
Data management solutions have come a long way in recent years. But unless you have your systems and data backed up, your data management solution won’t do much good. Regular backups are critical to protecting your company and customer data. In short, keeping a reliable reserve will guarantee that you always have a clean copy of all your data, which means you can restore it in the event that you suffer an attack or threat.
Not Investing in Quality Security
If you’re relying on the default security system on your company computers, you’re putting your business at major risk. PCs are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks because they’re manufactured with Windows Security, which is known for its weak malware detection and phishing protection. Macs have a history of providing stronger protection, but they’re not immune to attacks; in fact, cyber threats against Macs are on a steady rise.
Your best option is to invest in top-notch anti-virus software. And we’re not talking about the free stuff. Free antivirus solutions are known for providing low detection rates, breaching customer privacy, slowing down computers, issuing false positives, and leaving systems vulnerable to data breaches. Research the various paid antivirus options on the market, and don’t hesitate to make the investment.
Not Updating Software
Technology developers are in a constant battle with hackers. Shortly after a security technology is developed, criminals get to work on figuring out how to break through. That’s why keeping all the software on your computers up to date is so crucial. Yes, it might be a little inconvenient to update your software every time you get a notification, but neglecting to do so can cost you significantly. You must keep your company a step ahead at all times!
Conclusion
Cybercrime is something that every small and mid-size business should take seriously. Suffering a data breach or other type of attack could result in a financial disaster, tarnished reputation, and/or all-out loss of your business.
Start putting together a recovery plan and backing up your data today. Look into the leading antivirus software to determine the best option for your business, and keep all of your software up to date. While there are other steps necessary to protect your company from cyberattacks, implementing these tips will put you on the path to security.
Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about how our full-service digital marketing agency can benefit your business? Visit virtualsurge.com today!