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5 Cyber Security Best Practices to Protect Your Business Data
Today, any company can fall victim to cybercrime, which has become a major problem around the world. Cyber attacks become more sophisticated every year. That’s why large, medium-sized, and small businesses need to become more proactive in their approach to cyber security. They should create cyber security policies and regularly update security programs.
Cyber security is important if you want to efficiently operate your business, and it’s also critical for protecting your clients’ information. Wondering how your business can avoid being a victim of a cyber-attack? Which areas need to be prioritized? Here are 8 cyber security best practices you can begin to implement today to keep your business data secure.
Educate Your Employees
It’s easier to prevent malicious attacks and data breaches than recover from them. A single mistake from an improperly trained employee can ruin the entire security system. So it’s important to teach all your employees that have access to the network how to identify possible security threats and train them to use cyber security best practices.
Create a cyber security policy and make sure that all employees know that information security is a priority. As cybercriminals become savvier, company’s security policies should be constantly evolving. It’s vital to have regular updates on new protocols and regularly train employees on how to better deal with new threats when they occur. Educating your workforce is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward protecting your business environment.
Install Anti-malware Software
Install firewalls and anti-virus software on each computer within your company to combat cyber attacks and make sure you regularly update it. Keep in mind that although Windows computers are more likely to encounter a malware attack, Macs are not immune. That’s why you need security beyond what’s built into macOS. A smart decision is to give your Mac a regular scan to detect malware using tools that offer antivirus protection. For example, CleanMyMac X Protection module can help you stop macOS-specific virus threats and delete browsing data on demand.
Back Up Your Data
Your business data is one of your most valuable assets. Data breaches may happen regardless of your precaution, so it is recommended to continually back up all critical business data, including databases, Word documents, electronic spreadsheets, financial and human resources files, as well as accounts receivable/payable files. You should also make sure that all backups are stored in the cloud, frequently updated, and thoroughly protected and encrypted. If your system is hacked, you can use backups to restore your data.
Create a Strong Password Policy
According to research, 63% of data breaches happen due to stolen, lost, or weak passwords. You need to require your employees to use longer passwords of 15 characters at a minimum. They should consist of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols. It’s also recommended to change passwords every 60 to 90 days. Urge employees not to share their passwords with anyone who is not authorized to access your systems.
Security professional recommends using two-factor or multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing sensitive data because it provides an extra layer of protection. MFA requires several methods of authentication to verify a user’s identity for login. To ensure secure user sign-ins, you should use a combination of different elements, for example, like security questions, emails, text messages, biometrics, or time-based security codes.
Monitor Third-party Access to Your Business Data
You need to control third-party access to your data – business partners, subcontractors, remote employees, vendors, and suppliers. You need to monitor their actions while accessing your data because it may entail a higher risk of insider attack. Moreover, third-party access may open the way for hackers and malware to enter your system. You need to be aware of who connects to your company’s network, when, and why.
If you take preventative measures, you can improve cyber security and help your company avoid a disaster.
