Are you monitoring your networks for suspicious activity? October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a perfect time for small businesses to ensure their information technology systems and computers are secure. According to Cybercrime Magazine, “nearly 60% of small businesses that experience a cyber-attack go out of business within six months.” Here are six tips to help you strengthen your cybersecurity and prevent cyberattacks:
- Build a Cybersecurity Culture
- Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions if you have employees. “Try to get people to recognize and think about cybersecurity as they’re doing everyday work” says Natalie Deming, Information Systems Security Manager with Ngen. Get your team educated on recognizing phishing attempts, the importance of strong passwords, and safe internet practices like installing software updates as soon as they are available. Empower them to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Add an extra layer of security by enabling MFA on all accounts. This requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Use Antivirus Software and Keep All Software Updated
- Install reputable antivirus software on all devices and ensure it is always up to date. Regularly update all software, including operating systems and applications, to protect against the latest vulnerabilities and threats.
- Secure Your Networks
- Ensure your Wi-Fi networks are encrypted and hidden. Use strong, unique passwords for your routers and regularly update them. Implement firewalls to protect your internal networks from external threats.
- Monitor and Manage Cloud Service Provider (CSP) Accounts
- Regularly review and manage your CSP accounts to ensure they are secure. Implement strong access controls, monitor for unusual activity, and ensure data stored in the cloud is encrypted.
- Secure, Protect, and Back Up Sensitive Data
- Identify and classify sensitive data, then implement measures to protect it. Use encryption, both in transit and at rest, and ensure regular backups are performed. Store backups in a secure, offsite location.
When you get to the point where you have a network and recognize you need help getting things to work seamlessly, that’s when you would want to consider getting outside cybersecurity help. “But until then,” Natalie shared, “building a cybersecurity culture, enabling multi-factor authentication and ensuring software is updated can be cost-effective ways to start.”
Effective computer systems and networks are essential parts of growing a business. Protecting them from threats that could lead to unauthorized information disclosure, theft or damage to hardware, software and data, is paramount.
For more information and a deeper dive into strengthening your cybersecurity, visit the SBA website here.
