Gone are the days when worrying about security meant making sure there were locks on the door, cameras mounted on the walls, and security guards roaming the halls. Now, the best way to steal important information from someone is from the comfort of a computer desk.
Cybersecurity is an important issue for businesses, no matter in what sector they operate. Depending on the nature of your business, not having ample security can result in losing compliance approval and licensing. Here are five ways to boost cybersecurity in your business.
Work with a Consultant
Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. When it comes to implementing strong cybersecurity in your business, working with a consultant can help highlight issues you would never have dreamed of. According to EMMA International, having gaps in cybersecurity can cause you to be labeled as non-compliant under the industry standards as outlined for your type of business.
Working with a consultant can help you discover problems and implement an action plan to fix them. They can also train your staff to ensure that everyone knows what’s expected of them regarding cybersecurity and compliance.
Limit Access in Your Organization
Limiting access to information within your organization not only boosts your cybersecurity but also ensures you are putting proper measures in place to please your shareholders or reduce incidents of fraud. For example, in your accounting department, having one person be able to enter transactions and requiring someone else to post them to the accounts is a layer of protection for both your assets and employees.
You should closely monitor who has access to your information. Ensure that employees who are no longer with the company have their accounts shut down and reiterate the importance of not sharing passwords.
Secure Your Wifi
If you have a business that wishes to offer free wifi to customers or employees, ensure that it’s a separate account from that which is used to run your business. Unsecured wifi is essentially an open invitation for hackers looking to cause trouble. By ensuring you’re using a secure connection for the information that matters, you make it a little more challenging for troublemakers.
It’s also important to ensure your employees aren’t using the business wifi for personal searches. While many businesses are fine with employees using computers to browse the web while on a break, doing so on the secure network can open the door to viruses and other expensive problems.
Invest in Your Security Solutions
Don’t take the cheapest option to save money when it comes to cybersecurity. Doing so will cost you further down the road. Find it in your budget to spend a little extra to keep your data safe. Do your research to determine what the best options are for you and consult with the experts. As your business grows, so will your security needs.
When you run a business, basic firewall options and a free download of Norton Antivirus aren’t going to cut it. Look to larger security corporations like Cisco to see what they can do for your business.
Train Your People
Sometimes people don’t understand the implications of improper security. They don’t see that browsing through the web on their lunch break, looking at blogs with recipes and funny cat memes can sometimes result in a cybersecurity catastrophe. Take the time to educate your employees and tell them why you have the rules you do.
Host an annual lunch and learn event that covers how to spot a fake email, what you should do if your account has been hacked, and how to safely access the company network when working remotely. These regular reminders will boost your cybersecurity on a human level.
As the technology that enhances cybersecurity improves, so does the technology used for malicious purposes. Staying vigilant will keep your information and assets safe.
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Contributed content.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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