It’s tempting to believe that, because you’re small-sized business, hackers would be less likely to attack your business. This not much to steal mentality is common among small-sized business owners when it comes to cyber security. However, it’s also a complete misunderstanding and not in line with current best cyber security methods.
In actuality it is research by the U.S. Congressional Small Business Committee discovered that 71% of cyber-attacks occurred in businesses that have smaller than 100 people. More alarming is this report from the of SMBs have experienced a security breach within the last year.
However, why are smaller companies more frequently targeted in comparison to larger enterprises? The majority of cyber-attacks are designed targeted at obtaining personal information to be used in credit card or identity theft. Although larger companies generally have more information to steal, smaller businesses are less secure which makes it more difficult to hack into the network, in the IDG’s piece ” Why criminals pick on small businesses” states that through automated attacks, cybercriminals are able to infiltrate thousands of small-scale businesses, making size less of a concern than the security of networks.
The article says that a lack of budget, time and knowledge for proper security is the most significant reason behind the soaring number of SMB attacks. Other reasons include the lack of an IT security expert and not being conscious of the danger and lack of training for employees in updating security programs outsourcing security, and failing to secure the endpoints.
What can you do to stay out of the midst of cyber-attacks? Here are eight cybersecurity best practices for businesses you can implement now.
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1. Make use of a firewall
One of the primary options to defend against the event of a cyberattack is the firewall. It is recommended that the Federal Communications Commission recommends that all SMBs install the firewall in order to create protection for their information and cybercriminals. In addition to the traditional external firewall, a lot of businesses are beginning to install internal firewalls for additional security. It is also essential for employees working from home to have a firewall installed on their home networks too. Think about the provision of firewall software and help for home networks in order to ensure that they are in compliance.
2. Make sure you document your cybersecurity policies
Small businesses typically operate via word of mouth or intuition Cyber security is an aspect where it is crucial to record your procedures. This document from the Small Business Administration Cybersecurity portal is a place to learn online as well as checklists and other details specifically designed to safeguard online companies. It also provides checklists and other information. Cyberflaneur 2.0 of the FCC Cyberplanner 2.0 provides a basis for your security documentation. Also consider participating in C3’s C3 voluntary program for small Businesses and includes an extensive toolkit to determine and document the best practices for cyber security and cyber security policy.
3. Plan for mobile devices
With 59 percent companies allow byod as per the Technology Pro Research 2016 byod, Wearables and IoT: Strategies for security and satisfaction It is crucial that businesses have a written byod policy that is focused on security measures. With the rise of wearable devices, including fitness trackers and smart watches that have wireless capabilities It is vital to incorporate these devices into the policy. Norton from Symantec recommends that small-sized businesses have employees set up automatic security updates. They also require that the password policy of the company be applied for all devices that connect to the network.
4. Inform all employees
Many employees wear multiple hats in SMBs and it is therefore crucial that everyone who uses the network are educated about your company’s security best practices and security guidelines.
Since security guidelines are constantly changing as hackers become more sophisticated It is vital to provide regular updates on the latest security policies. To make employees accountable, make each employee sign a declaration that they’ve been made aware of the security policies and are aware that they could be held accountable in the event of a violation of security guidelines.
5, Enforce safe password practices
Yes, many employees are finding changing passwords an inconvenience. However it was it was found that Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report found that the majority of data breaches were due to stolen, lost and weak passwords. In the Keeper Security and Ponemon Institute Report 64 percent of SMBs that have password policies don’t enforce the policy. In the current byod world, it’s vital that all devices used by employees to access the company network are secured with a password.
According to the Business Daily article Cybersecurity, A Small Business Guide, Bill Carey the vice president of business development and marketing of Siber Systems, recommended that employees make use of passwords that contain lower and uppercase symbols, letters, and numbers. Carey says SMBs must require passwords to be updated every 60-90 days.
6. Always ensure that all data is backed up
While it is important to avoid any attacks at all but it’s possible to be hacked regardless of the security measures you take. The SBA suggests the backup of Word Processing documents as well as electronic spreadsheets database files, financial documents, databases Human resources files and accounts receivable/payable file. Make sure you backup all your data in cloud storage. It is important to ensure that backups are saved in separate locations in case in the event of a flood or fire. To ensure you have the most recent backup if you need it in the future be in need, make sure to check your backup on a regular basis to make sure it’s operating properly.
7. Set up anti-malware programs
It’s easy to believe that your employees understand to not open phishing emails. However it was found out that Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report for 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report revealed that 30% of employees clicked on phishing emails which is an increase of 7 percent over 2015. Since phishing attacks require the installation of malware on a computer of the user after clicking the link so it is essential to install anti-malware software on every device and network. Because phishing attacks usually are targeted at certain SMB employees, you should employ the tactics specific to your job described within Entreprenuer.com piece 5 Types of Employees Often Targeted by Phishing Attacks” as part of your education.
8. Use multifactor identification
No matter how well you prepare no matter how well you prepare, your employee is likely to commit a security error which could compromise your information. The PC Week article 10 Cyber Security Steps Your Small Business Should Take Right Now, Matt Littleton, East Regional Director of Cybersecurity and Azure Infrastructure Services at Microsoft suggests that using the multi-factor authentication settings of the majority of major software for network and email is easy to implement and offers an additional layer of security. He suggests using the cell phone numbers of employees as a substitute for a password, since it’s unlikely that an armed criminal will have the PIN and password.
Security is a constantly changing goal. Cybercriminals become more sophisticated each day. To safeguard your information as effectively as you can, it is essential that every employee make security for their cyberspace the top priority. It is also essential ensure that you are aware of the latest developments in cyber-attacks and the most advanced prevention technologies. Your business is dependent on it.
