As much as science and technology have helped businesses evolve, it has made them a prime target for cybercrime. No matter the company’s size, there is always the threat of hackers and con artists.
Businesses must be at the top of security practices to prevent data breaches or any other harm to their operations. Further, these practices will also help in anticipation of threats, neutralization, and fast recovery from crises.
If you don’t know where to start, this think-piece will help you out…
1. Maintain basic cyber hygiene organization-wide
Assessing threats and identifying issues is easier when your cyber system is not a mess. Update your systems regularly, organize files, use strong passwords, and define strict security policies.
Further, train your employees to follow these policies and run a security check occasionally. Build a clean base of cyber networks that will stand strong in the face of an attack.
2. Use strong passwords
Employees tend to use important dates for passwords. Computer default codes are also used for new accounts, which are easy guesses for hackers and hence, do not secure your account.
If you have important information on your system, ensure that you use strong passwords with the right mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
3. Train your employees in cyber-security practices
Employees not following the corporate security policy count as the biggest concern of the IT departments, and 39% are worried about ransomware attacks evolving beyond their company’s security capabilities.
Employees are easily phished; you must train them in spotting and preventing phishing attacks. Training has to be conducted regularly, with compulsory attendance, and gauged with tests or simulations.
4. Always have a back-up
Most big companies and all IT companies have secure systems to back up their data in case of system failure, crash, or cyberattack.
Make sure that you have scheduled regular backups; it is the only way to recover quickly from a ransomware attack.
This will give you security and, further, allow you to come and build back what you have lost, even in case of a cyberattack.
5. Employ adequate security software
The software protects the software. Ensure that you have adequate safety and security software installed across the organization to neutralize cybersecurity threats.
It is advised to consider a security bundle that offers security to all aspects of your business. If you are running a big organization, invest in 24/7 monitoring, detection, and response equipment.
6. Opt-in for cyber insurance
Yes, it is a real thing. Cyber insurance is your safety net to cover financial damage caused by cyberattacks. But you must first read their terms and conditions carefully before purchasing one.
However, just because you have insurance does not mean you will not work on your cybersecurity protocols; insurance is not a substitute for cybersecurity.
Cyberattacks also cause reputational and price damage, which is difficult to recover and cannot be claimed by insurance.
7. Be cautious of Shadow IT
Shadow IT comprises the processes and systems that a department or an individual employee uses to overcome the shortcomings or flaws of the central system employed by the organization.
It means that employees use their own systems to work faster and better, which the organization may not permit.
Shadow IT may make your data vulnerable to hackers, which can be prevented by using a flexible corporate policy. Employees must be made aware of the consequences of shadow IT, but changes to the central software should be initiated in case of genuine issues.
8. Continuously research, learn & execute
The world of tech is constantly evolving, and so are the hackers… faster than you can imagine. To give them a hard fight, you need to be updated too. So keep yourself aware of all the recent developments around you in terms of technology, security breaches, controls, etc.
Not only that, try to keep your employees equally informed and keep making modifications to your security protocols while you’re at it.
Final Thoughts
With the evolving techno-sphere, hacking, and ransomware attacks are becoming difficult to identify. You cannot predict the intensity of damage the attack may bring, so instead, be prepared for the worse and give the attackers a tough time!