CYBERSECURITY TOP TASKS TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
There was a cyberattack roughly every 39 seconds in 2022. That means more than 2200 attacks daily. Educating employees about cybersecurity is a top best practice to protect your business and defend your data. One easy way to do that? Post this straightforward cybersecurity to do list where everyone can see it and protect your business with these best practices.
This simple one-page checklist covers 12 top strategies to secure your business from cyber attack and other vulnerabilities. These include:
1.UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE
Software companies offer new versions not only to update features but also to fix known bugs and upgrade security. Don’t ignore those update notifications, as they could include valuable protection.
2. ENABLE 2 FACTOR AUTHENTICATION(F2P)
Add an extra layer of protection by requiring added information to verify identity on top of the username and password. It limits potential compromise.
3. CHECK LINKS BEFORE YOU CLICK
What you see may not be what you get. Hover over the target URL of the link to see where it is going before clicking.
4. DOUBLE CHECK SITES FOR HTTPS:
Only encrypted websites will be marked HTTPS by most browsers. This marks the site as more trustworthy and secure. Don’t enter data on HTTP-only site.
5. USE STRONG PASSWORDS
Creating more complex passwords takes a little more effort. With password managers, you don’t have to worry about remembering stronger credentials. Plus, you can avoid repeating passwords across accounts.
6. AVOID PUBLIC NETWORKS
Wi-Fi hotspots offer convenience, but you sacrifice security. A public connection could be unencrypted, hijacked, or leave you vulnerable to malware, viruses, and log-in credential theft.
7. BACKUP DATA
Back up important data at least weekly, or even daily. This can protect your data from malicious action, natural disasters, or other accidents that cause data loss.
8. SCAN EXTERNAL DEVICES FOR VIRUSES
External storage devices can be infected with malware. Before connecting removable devices to your computer, scan them for viruses and threats.
9. DON’T LEAVE DEVICES UNATTENDED
Always keep your devices with you to prevent loss or theft. Plus, you’ll avoid thieves accessing your passwords or other important or confidential data.
10. PROTECT MOBILE DEVICES
Keep your device’s operating system up to date. Lock your device with a PIN and use data encryption where possible. Also, install only apps from trusted sources.
11. HAVE A RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
A cybersecurity plan covering strategy and procedures and outlining how your business will react to attacks can help you cut risk and react more quickly.
12. EDUCATE EMPLOYEES
According to Verizon, 82% of breaches involve human errors or misuse. Teach employees about basic cybersecurity and ensure they consistently follow best practices to reduce your risk.
No matter your business size or industry, you are always a target to hackers. Take action today. Contact S&L IT Consultants to assess your cybersecurity needs by giving us a call at 212-602-1602.