In the old days, “security” referred to protecting people and places from physical threats. To keep a business secure, all you had to do was install cameras, hire guards, and securely lock the doors. With the advent of modern technology, things are much more complicated. The internet has made many facets of life much more convenient, but it has also created additional elements that need to be protected. For any business that operates in digital spaces, protection from physical threats is no longer enough. Nowadays, investing time and money in cybersecurity is an absolute necessity. Failure to do so could leave your employees, your clients, and even your capital under threat.
So how can you go about providing cybersecurity for your business? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but these are some of the standard practices you should consider.
Implement Two-Factor Authentication
Access management is one of the first things to consider when it comes to cybersecurity. If people can access your accounts with a single form of verification (a password, for example), then you’re leaving your digital treasure trove exposed. A two-factor authentication adds an additional level of security that makes it much harder for hackers or outside assailants to break into the system.
Think of an only India Jones-style movie. The sought-after jewels are always hidden behind a series of booby traps, not just one. You need to apply this same logic to your cybersecurity.
Most methods of two-factor authentication require a password in addition to a second verification factor. This second factor could be biometric (a fingerprint or facial scan), token-based (a swipe card), or location-based. In any case, that second verification requirement will ensure that only those who are truly authorized can access your accounts.
Conduct Audits
Having professionals audit your cybersecurity practices across the board is a great way to make sure you’re on top of potential problems. This audit should be comprehensive, leaving no portion of your business’s operations untouched. Hardware, software, and all connected devices need to be checked.
It might be tempting to consider this type of operation overkill, but it is necessary to prevent further problems down the road. Nothing stings like losing it all because of a security breach that could have been spotted.
Update Software on a Regular Basis
Hackers and cyber-thieves are often annoyingly brilliant and innovative. They know the latest tricks of the trade, and they constantly adapt to the latest security measures in their attempts to get past them. If you remain complacent and stick with outdated software, the hackers will find their way around your cybersecurity systems.
The key to protecting yourself from hackers is staying one step ahead of them. This requires regular updates of your cybersecurity software. Things change fast in the IT world. If you want your accounts to be safe, you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Develop a Plan for Responding to Incidents
Whenever there is a breach of your cybersecurity, you need to have a plan in place. No incident should ever result in feelings of despair or helplessness. As with all types of security, preparedness is key.
Assemble your IT team to develop a comprehensive action plan. Make a list of all possible types of incidents, and lay out an in-depth response to each one. That way, when something untoward occurs you’ll know just how to respond.
Educate the Company’s Workforce
Even the most foolproof cybersecurity programs will fail if employees and contractors lack the technological literacy to effectively use the systems. You need to make sure workers up and down the company are familiar with the programs and know how to keep them safe.
Educational seminars are a great way to keep everyone at the company up to date. From simple tips about passwords to the complexities of security programs, there’s so much employees need to hear before they’re really in the know.
