Keeping customer, employee, and company information secure can mean the difference between staying in business and going under. That’s why the importance of cybersecurity can’t be understated.
But exactly how do you keep your systems secure? Here are seven tips that will help you get started.
Work With the Right Data Center
Having an in-house data center is always an option, but it requires a lot of maintenance. You have to be extremely savvy about security too. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before your data is compromised.
It’s much easier to work with a data center that is digitally secure, but it is equally as important to work with a data center that is committed to creating a secure physical environment for cloud data centers.
Important information can be compromised over the internet, but it can also be compromised in person. A good data center has digital protections in place, and they are also careful about things like:
- Access provisioning, so only the appropriate people have access to the appropriate systems
- Business continuity and disaster recovery, so extreme weather is never an issue
- Properly locked rooms so servers can’t be removed
- Regular threat assessments that prevent attacks that are designed to sabotage the data center
Install a Security System
Cybersecurity involves physical security at a data center, but surprisingly, it also includes physical security at your physical location.
Make sure your business has a modern security system and be mindful of how it is set up. You’ll want cameras that focus on the register and the entrance if you have a retail shop, but there are other areas that should be monitored.
Monitor areas where data is stored and secure certain devices, like laptops, by locking them up each night. You can also add trackers to devices so they can be found, should they ever be lost or stolen.
Train Your Employees
Employee training is important for many reasons, but it is especially important when it comes to cybersecurity, as even the most intelligent people can fall prey to cybersecurity threats.
A few ways to train your staff to avoid potential cyber threats include:
- Educate your staff on how to identify potential phishing attempts
- Create mock cyberthreats and see how your employees react
- Train employees on what to do if they think they have received or reacted to a phishing attempt
Make sure employees are being continuously trained on cybersecurity threats. Hackers and criminals are always changing their techniques, so it is important to keep your employees up-to-date on the latest scams.
Limit Access to Information
Not everyone needs access to everything. It’s actually much better from a cybersecurity standpoint to be very selective about who has access to what.
That means password-protecting certain systems and changing those passwords anytime someone changes roles within your organization or leaves to work for another company.
It also means cracking down on password sharing. Employees need to know that they should never give out their password. If another employee needs access to protected information, the information itself should be passed on without compromising the entire system.
Have a Plan for Mobile Devices
Work doesn’t always take place on a desktop computer in the office. Work can be done from anywhere on any device. That’s extremely convenient, but it can be dangerous, as other devices aren’t likely to have the same protections in place as the devices at work.
Make sure you have a mobile security plan. If employees want to be able to store sensitive information or access the corporate network on their phone, make sure that their devices are password protected, the right security apps are installed, and data is encrypted.
If you want greater control over mobile devices, like laptops, cell phones, and tablets, consider providing these devices to your employees. That way you have complete control over the setup of those devices.
It’s also important to have a procedure in place for lost or stolen devices. For example, make sure remote wiping is installed on every device so data can be deleted remotely if the device goes missing.
Upgrade Hardware
Most business owners are always looking for ways to save money. One way to do that is to get the most use out of expensive technology as possible. Just make sure you don’t stretch the lifespan of that technology too far.
Hardware gets outdated relatively quickly. Security patches are only released for newer hardware that can handle the updates. If your hardware is too old, it doesn’t get the update, and it opens you up to cybersecurity threats.
It’s a good idea to update important hardware, like your wireless routers and computer hard drives, every few years so that you know those devices are getting all of the latest updates.
Backup Your Files
Even the most prepared companies can fall prey to cyberattacks. It’s important to have a backup plan, which means regularly backing up your files.
There’s nothing wrong with storing important information locally, but that information also needs to be located somewhere else. Schedule regular backups to be stored on an external hard drive or back up your information to the cloud online.
Fortunately, this is something you no longer have to do manually. You can set up automatic backups that store your information in multiple places without you having to do it manually. Just make sure you double check that the program is backing up the right information at the right intervals to the right location.
Cybersecurity is one of those things that business owners are always thinking about, but it’s often something that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list in the name of completing more pressing tasks. That is, until your business experiences a data breach.
Prioritize the cybersecurity of your business by following the tips on this list. When you do, you can work confidently knowing that you’re doing everything in your power to keep your important information as safe and secure as possible.
