As we ring in the new year, many of us are making resolutions to better ourselves. But what about our businesses? Here are 5 New Year’s resolutions all small business owners need to make in order to better protect their company from cyberattacks, and incorporate cybersecurity.
1) Be sure to keep all your software up-to-date at all times
Make a resolution to update your software regularly, including your operating system, browsers, plugins, and applications. Oftentimes, security breaches can be avoided by simply applying updates as they become available.
Hackers can get your company’s data if you don’t update your software. Software updates are released to patch holes in the programming, so not updating devices makes it possible for hackers to use those holes to gain access to your data.
2) Address your cybersecurity issues now
There is no better time to fix them than the present. This includes:
- Implementing an IT Security Policy and procedures
- Securing your WiFi and protecting mobile devices
- Managing passwords and updating anti-virus software on all computers and mobile devices
- Using encryption when sharing sensitive data
- Monitoring your network for vulnerabilities through routine audits
Security issues from the past might still have an impact on firms today since they can leave them vulnerable to cyber assaults. If these problems aren’t addressed, your company may be hacked and lose critical information.
In order to protect your company, it is important to take measures to secure your network and address any security vulnerabilities.
3) Restrict access to sensitive data
Make a resolution to only give access to sensitive data to those who need it. This is an important cybersecurity resolution for a variety of reasons.
First, it helps to protect your data from being accessed by too many people who could potentially improperly handle the information. Second, it can help you keep track of who is accessing your data and when. This can help you if you ever need to investigate a data breach.
4) Educate your employees about cybersecurity
Your employees are your first line of defense against cyberattacks. Employees need to be aware of how to identify attacks and what to do if they encounter one. Some elements of cybersecurity that employers should make sure their employees are aware of include:
Phishing attacks:
Phishing assaults are emails or messages that are fraudulently masqueraded as something they are not in order to entice the recipient to click on a harmful link or open an infected attachment. Employees must be educated about how to recognize phishing attacks and what to do if one is encountered.
Social engineering:
Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people into disclosing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers. Employees must be aware of how social engineers attempt to gain access to data and what to do if they are contacted by someone claiming to be a scammer.
Malware:
Malware is software that was designed to harm or disable computers. Employees need to be aware of the different types of malware and how to avoid downloading them on their computers.
5) Invest in long-term cybersecurity solutions
Make a resolution to invest in long-term cybersecurity solutions. This includes solutions such as:
Firewalls: A firewall is a security system that is designed to protect a computer or network from unauthorized access. A firewall can help to prevent hackers from accessing your data.
Antivirus software: Antivirus software is software that is designed to detect and remove malware from a computer. Antivirus software can help to protect your computer from being infected with malware.
Managed Service Provider (MSP): A Managed Service Provider is a company that provides outsourced IT services. An MSP can help you to protect your data by providing cybersecurity solutions such as firewalls, antivirus software, and malware protection.
Start the New Year With Your Data Secure
Cybersecurity is a top-of-mind concern for many small businesses. With so much data being stored on computers, it’s important to take steps to protect that information and avoid potential disasters like ransomware or the loss of sensitive customer information.
Syzygy 3 is a Managed Service Provider that can help businesses to protect their data by providing cybersecurity solutions such as firewalls, antivirus software, and malware protection. Syzygy 3 also provides outsourced IT services, which can help businesses to manage their technology infrastructure.
If you’re looking for assistance implementing these tips or have questions about anything related to cybersecurity, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you protect your business and keep your data safe.
