Oct 19
Oct 12
Why Passwords are Your Business’s Weakest Point
In today’s digital world, safeguarding your organization’s online assets is critical. Unfortunately, poor password hygiene practices by some employees cause problems for many small businesses, leaving them vulnerable to hackers. Cybercriminals are constantly trying to find new ways to break into business systems. Sadly, too often, they succeed thanks to weak passwords. In fact, nearly 50% of cyberattacks last year involved weak or stolen passwords.* This calls for small businesses like yours to step up and take password security seriously and implement strong password policies. Fortunately, there are a few best practices that you can follow to protect your business. Before we get into those, here are the top 10 most common passwords available on the dark web that you should avoid at all costs: 123456 123456789 Qwerty Password 12345 12345678 111111 1234567 123123 Qwerty123 Password best practices When your team is aware of password best practices, they can significantly ramp up your cybersecurity. Use a password manager One of the most important things to keep your passwords safe is to use a password manager. A password manager helps you create and store strong passwords for all your online accounts. Password managers can also help you keep track of your passwords and ensure they are unique for each account. Implement single sign-on (SSO) Single sign-on is a popular password solution that allows users to access multiple applications with one set of credentials. This means that you only need to remember one password to access all your online accounts. While SSO is a convenient solution, remember that all your accounts are only as secure as your SSO password. So, if you’re using SSO, make a strong, unique password that you don’t use for anything else. Avoid reusing passwords on multiple accounts If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they will try to use that same password to access your other accounts. By having different passwords for different accounts, you can limit the damage that a hacker can cause. However, avoid jotting down your passwords on a piece of paper and instead depend on a safe solution like using a reliable password manager. Make use of two-factor authentication (2FA) One of the best ways to protect your online accounts is to use two-factor authentication (2FA). In addition to your password, 2FA requires you to enter a code from your phone or another device. Even if someone knows your password, this method makes it much more difficult for them to hack into your account. While 2FA is not perfect, it is a robust security measure that can assist in the protection of your online accounts. We recommend that you begin using 2FA if you haven’t already. If you use 2FA, make sure each account has a strong and unique code. Don’t use the information available on your social media Many people use social media to connect with friends and family, stay up to date on current events or share their thoughts and experiences with others. However, social media can also be a source of valuable personal information for criminals. When creating passwords, you must avoid using information easily obtainable on your social media accounts. This includes your name, birth date and other details that could be used to guess your password. By taking this precaution, you can help keep your accounts safe and secure. An IT service provider can help you As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, you may not be able to devote sufficient time and effort to combat them. As an IT service provider, we can ensure your team creates strong passwords, stores them securely and changes them on a regular basis. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with us today to learn more about how we can help protect you from poor password hygiene. Now that you know how to keep your passwords safe, download our infographic by clicking here to learn how to keep your email inbox safe.
Oct 05
Busting Four Popular Cybersecurity Myths
As the business world becomes increasingly digitized, you’ll have to tackle several dangers that come with doing business online. Cybercriminals nowadays have several methods to target organizations, from credential hacks to sophisticated ransomware attacks. This is why it’s critical to think about measures to protect your organization in every possible way. If you are unfamiliar with technology and the cyberthreat landscape, it might be hard to know the best strategy to protect your organization. With so much noise about cybersecurity out there, it can be challenging to distinguish between myth and fact. Understanding current and evolving technology risks, as well as the truths behind them, is critical for providing a secure direction for your business. This blog can help you with that, and after reading it, you’ll have a better idea of the threat landscape and how to protect your business against it. Cybersecurity myths debunked Busting the top cybersecurity myths is essential to keep your business safe: Myth #1: Cybersecurity is just one solution There are many different aspects to cybersecurity and they’re all crucial in keeping your business safe. A robust cybersecurity posture includes employee security awareness training, physical security measures and a web of defenses for your network and devices. You can create a solid cybersecurity strategy for your business by considering all these measures. Myth #2: Only large businesses become the victims of cyberattacks If you fall for this myth, it could severely damage your organization. The truth is that small businesses are targeted more frequently by cybercriminals since their network can easily be compromised and they are less likely to recover from an attack unless they pay a ransom. Myth #3: Antivirus software is enough protection Nothing could be further from the truth. Antivirus software doesn’t provide comprehensive protection from all the threats that can exploit your vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity is about much more than just antivirus software. It’s about being aware of potential dangers, taking the necessary precautions and deploying all the appropriate solutions to protect yourself. Myth #4: I’m not responsible for cybersecurity Many businesses and their employees believe that their IT department or IT service provider is solely responsible for protecting them against cyberthreats. While the IT service department/IT service provider bears significant responsibility for cybersecurity, hackers can target employees because they are usually the weakest link. It’s your responsibility as a business leader to provide regular security awareness training and your employees’ responsibility to practice good cyber hygiene. An IT service provider can help Cybersecurity myths like the ones you learned above can lull businesses into a false sense of security, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. This is where an IT service provider, like us, can help. We can help you separate fact from myth and make sure your business is as secure as possible. We have the experience and expertise to handle matters such as cybersecurity, backup, compliance and much more for our customers. We’re always up to date on the latest security landscape and provide you with the tools and guidance you need to stay safe. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you secure your business. Want to learn more? Get our eBook that highlights the importance of security awareness training in your cybersecurity strategy. Download it here.
Sep 28
3 Times Businesses Were Denied Cyber Insurance Payouts
Cyber insurance is a type of insurance that protects businesses from financial losses that can result from a cyberattack. While it’s an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, there are some facts you should be aware of before purchasing a policy. Just because you have cyber insurance, it doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a payout in the event of an incident. This is because you may not have the correct coverage for certain types of cyberattacks or you might have fallen out of compliance with your policy’s security requirements. As a result, it is critical to carefully review your policy and ensure that your business is adequately protected. Learn from the past Here are three real-life examples of denied cyber insurance claims: Cottage Health vs. Columbia Casualty The issue stemmed from a data breach at Cottage Health System. They notified their cyber insurer, Columbia Casualty Company, and filed a claim for coverage. However, Columbia Casualty sought a declaratory judgment against Cottage Health, claiming that they were not obligated to defend or compensate Cottage Health because the insured didn’t comply with the terms of their policy. According to Columbia Casualty, Cottage Health agreed to maintain specific minimum risk controls as a condition of their coverage, which they then failed to do. This case reminds organizations of the importance of reading their cyber policy, understanding what it contains and adhering to its terms. BitPay vs. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company BitPay, a leading global cryptocurrency payment service provider, filed a $1.8 million insurance claim, but Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company denied it. The loss was caused by a phishing scam in which a hacker broke into the network of BitPay’s business partner, stole the credentials of the CFO of BitPay, pretended to be the CFO of BitPay and requested the transfer of more than 5,000 bitcoins to a fake account. Massachusetts Bay Insurance stated in its denial that BitPay’s loss was not direct and thus was not covered by the policy. Massachusetts Bay Insurance asserted that having a business partner phished does not count as per the policy. Although BitPay is appealing the denial, this case emphasizes the importance of carefully reviewing insurance policies to ensure you understand what scenarios are covered. This incident also highlights the importance of employee security awareness training and the need to reach out to an IT service provider if you don’t have a regular training policy. International Control Services vs. Travelers Property Casualty Company Travelers Property Casualty Company requested a district court to reject International Control Services’ ransomware attack claim. The company argues that International Control Services failed to properly use multifactor authentication (MFA), which was required to obtain cyber insurance. MFA is a type of authentication that uses multiple factors to confirm a user’s identity. Travelers Property Casualty Company claims that International Control Services falsely stated on its policy application materials that MFA is required for employees and third parties to access email, log into the network remotely and access endpoints, servers, etc. They stated that International Control Services was only using the MFA protocol on its firewall and that access to its other systems, including its servers, which were the target of the ransomware attack in question, were not protected by MFA. This case serves as a reminder that when it comes to underwriting policies, insurers are increasingly scrutinizing companies’ cybersecurity practices and that companies must be honest about their cybersecurity posture. Travelers Property Casualty Company said it wants the court to declare the insurance contract null and void, annul the policy and declare it has no duty to reimburse or defend International Control Services for any claim. Don’t be late to act As we have seen, there are several reasons why businesses can be denied payouts from their cyber insurance policies. Sometimes, it could be due to a naive error, such as misinterpreting difficult-to-understand insurance jargon. In other cases, businesses may be maintaining poor cybersecurity hygiene. An IT service provider can help you avoid these problems by working with you to assess your risks and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. Feel free to reach out for a no-obligation consultation. To learn more about cyber insurance, download our infographic titled “What Every Small Business Needs to Know About Cyber Insurance” by clicking here.
Sep 21
3 Types of Cyber Insurance You Need to Know About
As the world becomes more digitized and cybercrime increases, the need for cyber insurance is something businesses should not overlook. If your company handles, transmits or stores sensitive data, you need to know about cyber insurance. Cyber insurance is intended to protect businesses from the monetary losses arising from a cyber incident that could jeopardize their future. It covers financial losses caused by events such as data breaches, cybertheft and ransomware. Since small businesses often lack the resources or budgets of big corporations, cyber insurance can provide critical financial protection in the event of a cyberattack, helping them recover quickly. Types of cyber insurance and what they cover Although insurers may have their own specific classifications, cyber insurance can be divided into three broad categories: Cybertheft insurance With more and more businesses storing sensitive data online, the risk of cybertheft is more prominent than ever. As a result, ensuring that your company is adequately insured against this growing threat is critical. Cybertheft insurance protects businesses from financial losses caused by digital theft. This type of insurance can cover a variety of cybertheft scenarios, including first-party cybertheft, embezzlement scams, payroll redirection and gift card scams. Businesses of all sizes can be victims of cybertheft, and no business is too small to need cybertheft insurance. Therefore, even if there is a remote chance that your data or digital assets will be stolen, ensure you have cybertheft insurance for your business. Cyber liability insurance Cyber liability insurance includes third-party coverage for damages and losses, data breaches, regulatory penalties, credit monitoring and lawsuits. Cyber liability insurance is a vital tool for small businesses like yours because the financial ramifications of a cybersecurity breach can be more severe than you can handle. This does not mean you should panic right now; it simply means that having cyber liability insurance can help your business recover and move forward even after a breach, without being stunted. Cyber extortion insurance/ransomware insurance Cyber extortion insurance protects businesses against ransomware attacks. This type of insurance can help cover the cost of ransom payments, recovery expenses, business interruptions and more. It can also provide access to a team of experts who can help with cyber extortion negotiations and forensics. Keep in mind that an attack could still succeed even with the right cybersecurity solutions in place to protect your business. That’s why it’s critical to have cyber extortion insurance. It can help you recover from a ransomware attack and reduce the financial impact. Let’s work together to ensure your success Cyber insurance is a complicated and ever-changing industry. There are many factors that can influence whether or not you qualify for a payout in the event of a cyberattack, and trying to remain compliant with your insurance policy can be difficult. Working with an IT service provider can help you better understand your options and ensure that you have adequate security in place, increasing your chances of receiving complete coverage. Not sure where to start? Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our knowledge and experience may be just what you require. We’ve also created an infographic titled “Cyber Insurance and Why Your Small Business Needs Coverage” that you can download by clicking here.
Sep 14
How an IT Service Provider Can Help With Cyber Insurance
When looking for cyber insurance for your small business, you may find it hard to navigate technology and insurance jargon. There are even different types of cyber coverage and you might not be sure what you need because you’re not a cybersecurity expert. Plus, once you do have coverage, there’s always the risk of not receiving a payout in the event of an incident if you didn’t meet your policy’s requirements. Partnering with an IT service provider can make your journey to qualify for cyber insurance easier in so many ways. Keep reading to find out how. An IT service provider can help you Although an expert IT service provider can bring a lot to the table on matters regarding security, backup and compliance to help you stay protected, in terms of cyber insurance, you can get assistance with the following: Auditing and complying with insurance policies While meeting your cyber insurance policy requirements is ultimately up to you, you can improve your chances of receiving a payout following an incident by partnering with a specialized IT service provider. The majority of insurance policies require you to take specific actions to reduce your risk of a cyberattack. These actions may involve maintaining strict security protocols and procedures, regularly backing up data and more. An IT service provider can help handle all of these and ensure that the appropriate security measures are followed to protect your data and comply with policy requirements. An IT service provider can also help make documenting your security measures easier. Picking the right coverage for your business Without an in-depth understanding of cybersecurity, it can be difficult to know which type of cyber insurance is best for your company out of the many available options (theft, liability, and extortion). An IT service provider can evaluate your company and direct you toward the right coverage. The drawback of not having the right insurance coverage is that you’ll have to pay the premium and get nothing in return when you really need it. Improving your cybersecurity posture Insurance companies are wary of taking on too much risk due to the skyrocketing rate of cybercrime. Although this makes obtaining cyber insurance coverage challenging, it is not impossible. If you have a strong cybersecurity posture, your chances of getting coverage will be higher. An IT service provider can help you assess your cybersecurity risks and recommend ways to improve your overall cybersecurity posture. They can also help you implement security controls and monitor your network for threats. If you do suffer a data breach, an IT service provider can help you with the incident response process. The decision is yours If you’re hoping to qualify for a cyber insurance policy, a specialized IT service provider like us can help. We can use our expertise and experience to help you choose the right policy for your business and meet your policy’s requirements. Feel free to reach out for a no-obligation consultation where you can decide if we’re the right partner for you. To help you learn more about cyber insurance, we created a comprehensive checklist titled “Cyber Insurance 101 for Small Businesses” that you can download by clicking here.
Sep 07
Don’t Fall for These Cyber Insurance Myths
As the world increasingly moves online, so do the risks to our businesses. Cyber insurance is one way to help your business recover following a cyberattack. It covers financial losses caused by events such as data breaches, cyber theft, ransomware and more. Cyber insurance can be beneficial in many ways since it typically covers the cost of: Recovering data Legal proceedings Notifying stakeholders about the incident Restoring the personal identities of those affected Due to the complicated nature of cyber insurance, there are a lot of myths out there that can be harmful to your business if you fall for them. Let’s debunk them together. Cyber insurance myths debunked Busting the top cyber insurance myths like the ones below is necessary so that you can make informed decisions for your business: Myth #1: All I need to protect my business from cyberthreats is a cyber insurance plan This could not be further from the truth. Your insurance provider will only cover your business if you meet the requirements outlined in your contract. Most reputable insurers will require proof that you have been following the proactive measures outlined in your policy. If you can’t prove your compliance, your claims are unlikely to be paid. One of the most common insurance requirements is that you have top-tier cybersecurity protection. Despite the availability of a variety of cybersecurity solutions in the market, keep in mind that not all of them are the same. Finding a solution that offers the best protection for your needs is crucial. Myth #2: I don’t need cyber insurance since I have cybersecurity solutions Even though cybersecurity solutions can boost your defenses, they don’t make you immune to cyber incidents. Yes, cybersecurity solutions can reduce the risk of a cyberattack by identifying and protecting vulnerable points in your system. However, no solution can provide complete protection against all threats because staying on top of emerging risks can be challenging. Additionally, human error can always result in vulnerabilities in a system, regardless of how secure it is. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a cyber insurance policy in place to fall back on in case of an incident. Myth #3: Cyber insurance is easy to get As technology advances, so do the occurrences of cyber incidents. With small and medium-sized businesses being the most susceptible targets of cybercriminals due to a lack of enterprise-level protection, the likelihood of an attack is high. Consequently, insurers are reluctant to provide coverage since the risks are significant. While policies are still available, they are becoming more expensive and difficult to obtain. Myth #4: If I have a cyber insurance policy, my claims will be covered in case there’s an incident If you can’t prove that you’ve complied with your cyber insurance policy’s prerequisites, your claim is likely to be rejected. This is why you might want to consider partnering with an IT service provider. An expert IT service provider can help you remain compliant with your cyber insurance policy as well as provide evidence of such compliance. Partner for success It’s crucial to not fall for the above myths about cyber insurance so that your business qualifies to invest in a policy and receive coverage. However, it’s also important to remember that cyber insurance is something that demands a lot more time and effort than you might have. To protect your business effectively, you should partner with an IT service provider like us who can help you understand how to increase your chances of receiving coverage and a payout in the event of an incident. Reach out to schedule a no-obligation consultation. Additionally, we created an infographic titled “What is Cyber Insurance and Why Your Business Needs Coverage” that you can download by clicking here.
Aug 24
Why Your Business Needs to Prepare for Cyber Incidents
As the world becomes more digital, so do the risks of conducting business online. Cyber incidents can happen to any business, regardless of size or industry, and can have serious consequences. The following are some examples of common types of incidents to look out for: Phishing Phishing is an online scam in which criminals send emails or instant messages falsely claiming to be from a legitimate organization. These messages typically contain links to bogus websites designed to steal your personal information such as your login credentials or credit card number. Phishing attacks can be challenging to detect because scammers use familiar logos and language to dupe their victims. Denial-of-service A denial-of-service attack makes a computer or other service inaccessible to users. These attacks are carried out by flooding the victim’s computers or network with requests, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate traffic or causing it to crash. Such attacks can be excessively disruptive and can result in significant financial losses. Ransomware A ransomware attack is a cyberattack through which hackers encrypt a victim’s data and demand a ransom to decrypt it. Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This is done using a key, which is a piece of information that controls the transformation. Only the same key can convert the unreadable format to readable data or decrypt it. These attacks can be incredibly detrimental to individuals and organizations since they frequently lead to loss of data or money. SQL injections An SQL injection is a form of attack cybercriminals use to execute malicious SQL code in a database. Simply speaking, SQL code is a language to communicate to computers. You can use it to tell the computer what you want it to do, like find some information or create a table, for example. Cybercriminals use this code to change, steal or delete data. SQL injection attacks pose a serious risk to any website that relies on a database because they can cause irreversible damage. Malware Malware is software that is intended to harm computer systems. It can take the form of viruses, Trojans or spyware. Malware can be used to steal personal information, corrupt files and even disable systems. Nothing could be further from the truth if you believe cybercriminals only target large corporations. According to a recent report, 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses.1 Real cyber incidents experienced by small businesses Although the media usually underreports attacks on small businesses and focuses on data breaches that affect large corporations, here are two instances of incidents that severely impacted small businesses:(2) When the bookkeeper of a boutique hotel began receiving insufficient fund notifications for regularly recurring bills, the chief executive officer (CEO) realized their company had been the victim of wire fraud. A thorough examination of the accounting records revealed a severe issue. A few weeks prior, the CEO had clicked on a link in an email that they mistook for one from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It wasn’t the case. Cybercriminals obtained the CEO’s login information, giving them access to sensitive business and personal information. This attack had a significant impact. The company lost $1 million to a Chinese account and the money was never recovered The CEO of a government contracting firm realized that access to their business data, including their military client database, was being sold in a dark web auction. The CEO soon noticed that the data was outdated and had no connection to their government agency clients. How did this data leak happen? The company discovered that a senior employee had downloaded a malicious email attachment thinking it was from a trusted source. The breach had a significant operational and financial impact, costing more than $1 million. The company’s operations were disrupted for several days since new security software licenses and a new server had to be installed. Collaborate for success Your business is not immune to cyberthreats. To address incidents as they occur, adequate security measures and an incident response plan are required. Consider consulting with an IT service provider like us if you need help identifying the right technologies to prevent a cyber incident or help with developing an incident response plan. Feel free to reach out now. To get you better acquainted with incident response best practices, we have created a checklist titled “Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Your Small Business.” Source: 1. National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Report, 2022 – Staysafeonline.org/cybersecure-business 2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Small Business Cybersecurity Case Study Series
Aug 17
Balancing a Proactive and Reactive Approach to Cyber Incidents
A cyber incident is a type of security event that can harm a business like yours. Ranging from data breaches and system failures to malware attacks and phishing scams, these incidents can hinder productivity, revenue growth and customer satisfaction. In most cases, a cyber incident will result in data loss or downtime. This can include loss of confidential information, customer data or business records. In some cases, a cyber incident can also cause business interruption or financial loss. We can all agree that no one wants their business to be hacked. A single cyberattack can rob you of your time, money and peace of mind. In addition to getting systems operational and data restored, you have to let all affected parties know that their data may have been compromised. This can be a difficult situation to navigate for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In this blog, we’ll provide you with proactive and reactive approaches to tackle an attack, cope with the aftermath of a hack and prevent future incidents. Proactive steps to implement By taking these proactive steps, you can help protect your business from the devastating consequences of a cyberattack: Routinely update your passwords It’s critical to update your passwords regularly to help keep your accounts safe. By updating your passwords every six months, you can help protect your accounts from being hacked. Here are a few tips on how to create a strong password: Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols Avoid using easily guessable words like your name or birthdate Use a different password for each account Don’t reuse passwords Use a virtual private network (VPN) A virtual private network encrypts your company’s data and gives you complete control over who has access to it. This can aid in the prevention of data breaches and the protection of your company’s information. However, make sure to select a reputable provider offering robust security features. Conduct regular security awareness training As a responsible business executive, you must ensure that your company’s security awareness training program is comprehensive, engaging and adaptable to new threats. In today’s digital age, this is critical to protect your business. Run regular phishing tests Phishing is a type of cyberattack that employs deceitful techniques to try and obtain sensitive information from users or cause them to download malicious software. Phishing attacks can be highly sophisticated and challenging to detect, which is why it is essential to periodically test your employees to assess their vulnerability to this type of attack. Reset access controls regularly It is crucial to regularly reset access controls to prevent unauthorized access to protected resources. This helps to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information. Resetting access controls can be done manually or with automated tools. Use multifactor authentication (MFA) Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires your employees to provide more than one form of identification when accessing data, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized data access. This can include something they know (like a password), something they have (like a security token) or something they are (like a fingerprint). Before we move on, take note of the cybersecurity training topics recommended by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for all small businesses: Spotting a phishing email Using good browsing practices Avoiding suspicious downloads Creating strong passwords Protecting sensitive customer and vendor information Maintaining good cyber hygiene Reactive steps to remember The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) reactive incident response framework covers the following five phases: Identify To develop an effective incident response plan, security risks must be identified. This includes, among other things, threats to your technology systems, data and operations. Understanding these risks allows you to respond to incidents more effectively and reduce the impact of security breaches. Protect To protect your company, you need to develop and implement appropriate safeguards. Security measures to guard against threats and steps to ensure the continuity of essential services in the event of an incident are examples of safeguards. Detect Detecting anomalies, such as unusual network activity or unauthorized access to sensitive data, are needed to limit the damage and get your systems back up and running faster following an incident. Respond A plan to respond to detected cyber incidents is critical. This strategy should include breach containment, investigation and resolution strategies. Recover To minimize disruption, you must have a plan to resume normal business operations as soon as possible after an incident. Implementing the above proactive and reactive steps requires time, effort and skillsets that are possibly beyond what you can commit to at the moment. However, you can still accomplish this by collaborating with an IT service provider like us. Our experience and expertise may be just what you need. Feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation. Also, to walk you through incident prevention best practices, we have created a checklist titled “Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Small Businesses.“
Aug 10
Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Small Businesses
As a small business owner, you may think you are “too small” to be the target of cybercrime because you aren’t a large, multimillion-dollar company. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the media mainly focuses on attacks on big businesses, small businesses are low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals know that small businesses are less likely to have strong security measures in place, making it easier for them to breach their data. In this blog post, you’ll learn the steps you can take to protect your business from the claws of cybercriminals. Follow these cyber incident prevention best practices While there is no single silver bullet for preventing all incidents, there are some best practices that can help you reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack. 1. Ensure your cybersecurity policy supports remote work When implementing a cybersecurity policy supporting remote work, consider the following: How will employees access company resources off-site? What security measures should be put in place to protect company data? How will remote employees collaborate and share data? Additionally, you should identify any support mechanisms to help employees struggling to adjust to remote work. By taking these factors into account, you can create a cybersecurity policy that is productive, seamless and secure. 2. Provide cybersecurity awareness training for employees Implementing a security awareness training program for employees is critical in today’s digital age. As a responsible business executive, you must strive to ensure that the program is comprehensive, engaging and adaptable to new threats. 3. Deploy software patches Threats to your network security are becoming more prevalent as technology advances. That’s why it’s critical to keep your software up to date with the latest security patches. There are two different ways to keep your software up to date. One way is to set your software to update automatically while the other is to manually check for updates on a regular basis. 4. Have active antivirus and antimalware protection There are numerous antivirus and antimalware solutions in the market, so select one that is appropriate for your company. When doing so, you’ll have to consider the size of your company, the type of data you need to safeguard and your budget. Once you’ve decided on a solution, make sure you follow through with it. This includes installing it on all your company’s computers and keeping it updated. 5. Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide more than one form of identification when accessing data, thus reducing the chances of unauthorized data access. This can include something that the user knows (like a password), something that the user has (like a security token) or something that the user is (like a fingerprint). 6. Use a virtual private network (VPN) A virtual private network encrypts your company’s data and allows you to control who has access to it. This can help prevent data breaches and keep your company’s information safe. However, make sure to choose a reputable provider that offers robust security features. 7. Deploy single-sign-on (SSO) and password management A single sign-on solution can make your users’ login process easier by allowing them to log in once to a central system and then access all the other applications and systems they require. This can make the login process more efficient for them. In addition to SSO, a password management solution simplifies the user login process by allowing them to manage their passwords more securely and efficiently. 8. Encrypt your data Data encryption is the process of converting information into a code that can only be deciphered by someone who has the key to decrypt it. It is done to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the information. Data encryption is a critical tool in cybersecurity since it can help reduce the exposure of your data to risks and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations. 9. Have backup and disaster recovery solutions It is critical to have backup and disaster recovery solutions in place in case of system failure or data loss. Make sure to research the different options and find the best solution for your company. To ensure that your backup and disaster recovery solutions are working correctly, test them on a regular basis. Collaborate for success If you’re a small business owner, you may not have the time or expertise to implement effective cyber incident prevention best practices. However, by partnering with us, you can leverage our experience to build a digital fortress around your business. Contact us today to find out how we can help you protect your business against potential cyberthreats. In addition, download our infographic titled “Is Your Business Prepared for a Cyber Incident?” for a deeper dive into the concept.
