Cybersecurity is one of the biggest concerns for businesses right now. With the advent of advanced technology, hackers can quickly access sensitive files and engage in cybercrime. They can take over your corporate account, initiate unauthorized transactions, or sell confidential data to your competitors.
However, with proper work practices, you can reduce the risk of cybercrime. As criminals evolve practices with the evolving technology, you must stay ahead and incorporate the latest cybersecurity protection techniques into your business. Here are some solutions that will protect your workplace against cybercrime.
1. Install Anti-Malware Software
Every day, your servers download several thousand files from emails and the internet in general. Some of these files could be viruses, malware, and trojan horses threatening your cybersecurity.
You can combat these threats by installing quality anti-virus and anti-malware software on your systems. They work by cross-checking your files against a database of malicious files. Their database is continuously updated to protect against the newest threats, so you must update your anti-virus periodically for complete protection against cyber threats. You should also enable real-time protection to prevent malware from entering your systems.
2. Provide Cybersecurity Trainings
Your employees must know the best practices to protect business information. You must develop SOPs for employees to use your servers and report suspicious activity. Consider arranging cybersecurity training for your workforce so they understand how to combat cybercrime best.
You can provide this training in several ways. You can call renowned cybersecurity experts to conduct workshops for your employees. You can also sponsor enrollment in security management degrees online for your IT staff and then have them train your general staff on cybersecurity measures.
3. Stronger Passwords
Most people put easy-to-guess information as their passwords, such as their spouse’s name, phone number, or date of birth. Yet other people put strings of numbers or letters that follow a pattern, like ‘12345’, as their password. Hackers can easily guess these passwords and gain access to your accounts.
Passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats, so they must be solid. Ensure your password combines randomized upper and lowercase alphabets, letters, and symbols. Be careful not to use the same password for several accounts, and create unique passwords for every account you use.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication verifies your identity even when you input the correct password. In two-factor authentication, you must confirm your identity by entering a code sent to your phone or email whenever you sign in from a previously unrecognized device.
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account and prevents a hacker from accessing your account even if they guess the password. Ensure to enable it on every app and account that offers two-factor authentication services.
5. Provide Firewall Security
A firewall is a tool that protects your internal networks from unauthorized access. Firewalls inspect data packets your system receives and allow or block them. They also save your IP address by hiding them from untrusted external networks on the internet. Advanced firewalls also detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Some firewalls also act as VPNs and allow secure and encrypted communication.
As firewalls are integral to cybersecurity, you must update them regularly for comprehensive protection. Periodically test your firewall and monitor its logs to detect and respond to security gaps. However, remember that firewalls work better when integrated into a comprehensive cybersecurity plan and are not complete security tools independently.
6. Use VPNs
VPNs or Virtual Private Networks are essential cybersecurity tools. They make your network more secure and privatized by rerouting your traffic so that it seems to come from a different IP address. VPNs make your data more encrypted and make it difficult for unauthorized parties, including your internet service provider, to access it.
However, remember to get your VPN from a trusted seller. Ensure your VPN has a robust encryption protocol that hackers cannot unravel. As VPNs slow down internet speed, contact a provider that brings you good encryption without compromising speed too much.
7. Invest in Cloud Security
If you store your data only on your servers, your business will be highly vulnerable to cyber threats. One cyber-attack can wipe out sensitive data, so it is best to back up your data in cloud servers. This way, you provide insurance to your information against a cyber attack or a natural disaster.
However, you must invest in cloud security when you back up your data. Consider top-notch encryption protocols for your cloud data, have stringent access controls, and install data loss prevention (DLP) mechanisms. Many businesses use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to connect cloud services: ensure you don’t leave your APIs unprotected.
8. Integrate Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management, or MDM, is a collection of cybersecurity measures that monitor, manage, and secure mobile phones and tablets in the workplace. Consider integrating MDM policies in your workplace. This protocol will register and enroll all mobile devices with your IT department, which can configure their settings remotely and incorporate them into your cybersecurity measures.
Why is this necessary? Since mobile phones aren’t generally integrated into your security solutions, they are particularly vulnerable to data breaches. You can secure your employees’ phones through MDM and make the workplace more secure.
9. Consider Network Segmentation
Network segmentation is a cybersecurity strategy that divides a larger network into multiple smaller networks called Virtual Local Area Networks or VLANs. Through this segmentation, you can improve performance and speed while also making your devices more secure. You can contain the damage due to a cyber attack by network segmentation, as the VLANs are isolated and have minimal contact, so a breach is less likely to spread. You can also tailor specific security protocols for each subnetwork.
Conclusion
Data breaches and cyber-attacks are among the biggest challenges for businesses in the twenty-first century. If your organization is to survive, it must fend off cyber-attacks effectively.
There is no one-size-fits-all cybersecurity solution, and you must create a comprehensive risk management strategy that integrates several solutions. These solutions include firewalls, VPNs, two-factor authorizations, and more. Training your employees to be cautious and practice cybersecurity is also essential. You can keep your data secure and your customers happy through these practices.
