As a small business, there is no end to worries about cybersecurity. Cisco found that 42% of small businesses were experiencing cyber fatigue in 2020—a feeling of apathy toward proactively defending their business from cyberattacks. We get it, there’s so much information out there that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
But everyone is always talking about business cybersecurity because it’s so vital to your business’s success. Almost 43% of cyberattacks are targeted at SMBs and they can cost between $826 and $653,587. Does your business have the funds to withstand a $600,000 cyberattack?
While some tools take time and funds to implement, here are a few simple tips that you could put into practice right after reading this that will boost your business cybersecurity posture.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a must for improving business cybersecurity. When a hacker gets ahold of your login credentials (which they can buy on the Dark Web for a few dollars), they’ll try logging into your email, client portal, or whatever platform they can access.
The application will recognize that the login attempts are coming from a different location and computer, so it’ll send you a text message, phone call, or email to verify and confirm the login. Since you know you’re not trying to log in to your bank at that moment, you deny the request, and the hacker is locked out.
MFA is so simple yet extremely powerful. Many apps and websites have it for free, even though the implementation of MFA as a policy (getting your employees to use it, making sure it gets set up on different apps), can take more time than just the setup.
Create and Enforce a Password Policy
A strong password policy is essential for all businesses, no matter the size. A good password policy should include a minimum length of at least 8 characters and should also require passwords to contain numbers, symbols, and an uppercase letter.
You can also use a password manager like LastPass or 1Password (there are many more) to easily manage and store your business and employee passwords. You can also use these tools to randomly generate strong passwords for every account, which will make it harder for hackers to guess or break into.
Security Awareness Training
Employees can be your greatest asset when it comes to business cybersecurity. You may have heard the stat about human error causing 95% of data breaches and while that’s true, it turns your employees into a liability instead of the gatekeepers they can be.
When you train your staff on common phishing and cybersecurity tactics, they become much more adept at identifying threats and dangerous links in emails. Security awareness training also helps employees recognize social engineering tactics like typosquatting or website spoofing—both of which can be used to gain access to your business’s data. By creating a culture of cybersecurity you are boosting your overall cyber hygiene.
Secure Managed Backups
One of the best defenses against data loss due to ransomware or other cyberattacks is a secure managed backup. Having a separate, up-to-date backup of all your important files and data will ensure that you can restore it quickly if needed.
You should also look for managed backups with multiple layers of encryption (AES 256-bit encryption is the standard) and strong password protection. It’s also a good idea to store your backups in an offsite location, such as a cloud storage service or data center, so that they’re not vulnerable if there’s a power outage or other on-premise disaster.
Regular Security Patches and Software Updates
Finally, make sure that your business is regularly patching its systems and software. Security patches are essential for maintaining the latest security features and keeping your system as secure as possible.
Software updates should be completed regularly, too. These updates will often contain bug fixes or new security features that can help protect your data from cyber threats. Make sure your staff is aware of these updates and encourages them to keep their software up-to-date. By partnering with a managed service provider you can rest assured that your systems and software will remain up to date.
Beat Cyber Fatigue With K2 Tech Group
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about all the to-dos on your business cybersecurity list, let K2 Tech Group help you tackle it. From the simplest of tools like MFA to long-term strategies, K2 Tech Group will help you design your own cybersecurity roadmap and train your staff to stay vigilant against cyberattacks.
Schedule a consultation today to discover the vulnerabilities within your business and find out how cybersecurity can help you do business better.
