.Every business is unique, and that often includes the security measures you employ to protect your network and data. However, there are a few “universal truths,” if you will, that every business needs to consider when evaluating their cyber-defenses..
Protection
No matter the industry in which you work, your computer devices, networks, and databases contain valuable information. That’s why every business should put protection measures in place as a first line of defense against hackers and cybercriminals. One such defensive measure is a reliable antivirus software package. This program, or set of programs, scans for, detects, and removes malicious software, and prevents it from gaining a foothold and spreading on your devices and/or networks. Antivirus software can be purchased online and downloaded right to your computer. (Just be sure you’re working with a reputable software supplier.) Other ways to protect your business include multi-factor authentication, cloud-based backups, an updated operating system, email filters, and more. Also, remember that not every threat is from a malicious source. Protection against power surges that may lead to data loss is also a must.
Response
While being proactive is the best way to protect your business, having an incident response plan in place helps ensure an issue doesn’t turn into a full-blown disaster. Keep track of how many devices you have and where information is being stored. It’s also a good idea to have a backup in place in case data gets stolen or deleted. Check out this post on how to create a response plan.
Training
Uninformed employees can be one of the biggest threats to your security, due to their access to your information and unfamiliarity with cybersecurity concerns. On the other hand, well-informed employees are a critical first line of defense against cyberattacks, including phishing campaigns, malware, and viruses.For example, something as simple as educating your employees on what a suspicious email looks like can deter more attacks than you may realize. Having policies in place to prevent downloading unauthorized applications or clicking on ad links will instruct your employees on what they should and should NOT access on their work devices. (And they’ll probably be thankful that you’ve also helped them deter attacks on their personal devices.)
Going Above and Beyond
While these “top 3 things” shouldn’t be the extent of your cybersecurity strategy, it’s a good place to start. But, we don’t expect you to do it all on your own. Sawyer Solutions has the experience and expertise to determine what your business needs, and implement it in a way that allows you to be as hands-off as you desire. That way you can focus on serving your customers and running your business. Contact us for a free consultation!