Before you work with Bridewell managed security services provider or any similar service, you may want to know one thing – why is cybersecurity important? Lately, more and more companies have looked for cybersecurity solutions. Every year, over 800,000 individuals deal with data security breaches, phishing attacks, or ransomware attacks. But since avoiding the Internet is no longer an option for businesses, finding ways to stay safe becomes mandatory.
There are many evil people on the Internet who want to gain access to people’s personal information or funds to fulfill their selfish purposes. This is why you must practice caution and do whatever you can to be ahead of these attackers. To make sure you protect your business, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tips and practices for cybersecurity.
- Check Financial Details Manually
Many businesses perform online operations via email. Now, when you are waiting for requests from individuals or other businesses, you are very excited as soon as you see a notification, which means that you may be tempted to give the sender what they want. This puts you at risk if you do not recognize the signs of phishing.
For this reason, you should consider checking financial details manually before you perform a transaction. You can check the request with the other business or person through a different channel – for example, on the phone. Doing so ensures you do not fall victim to scams.
- Consider Using 2FA
Two-factor authentication has become a fundamental part of people’s Internet use. Many attackers will try to gain access to someone else’s accounts to steal money or data, and without the right protection, anyone might seize control of the account.
With two-factor authentication, businesses can protect their customers’ accounts and their systems. Anyone who wants to log into the system will need something else aside from their email/username and password. This could be a text message code, authentication app code, or something else.
- Train Your Employees
All employees must be properly trained to recognize scams and avoid them. More than half of all data breaches occur due to human negligence or error, according to a report from 2022. By training your employees, you avoid the risk of having your security compromised.
Educate your workers on how to detect any scams and phishing methods. Consider cyberattack simulations so you test their reactions and see how prepared they are. Also, tell them all about password security and how to use social media safely.
- Keep Your Devices Safe
Securing your devices becomes a necessity in these times. Devices that access your business systems or data must all have anti-malware software on them, as this prevents anything harmful – like ransomware or viruses – from getting downloaded and installed. Bear in mind that this type of software should exist on both company devices and the devices owned by the staff.
- Do Regular Data Backups
Losing important data can be devastating for your business. Since cyberattacks put your data at risk, doing regular backups becomes more and more essential.
Do manual backups even if automatic online ones were already made. All your backups should be protected and encrypted. Also, make sure that you store the data backup on some offline endpoint devices. There should also be strong passwords in place to protect them.
- Set Up Some Logs
This method can help you prevent potential cyberattacks. These logs can be set to let you know about potential unexpected or strange events that put your business’s cybersecurity in danger.
Set up logs for things like password changes, log configuration changes, various failed login attempts, anti-malware notifications, denied 2FA requests, CMS logins and changes to files in it, and network connections that keep going in and out of the network.
- Make Credential Updates
Default credentials should be changed after you do the initial setup for product administration-level access. Not every business changes default credentials, though, and this can be risky. Anyone can find them online or guess them, so attackers can easily take advantage of this to access your system.
- Make the Network Secured
You should find ways to control where all business connections go. You can use a VPN to access systems remotely on the company’s network and add 2FA to the VPN software as well. Also, add limited access to the Internet-facing parts so that only the essential employees can access them. Furthermore, have different VLANs for the business network, as this allows you to be in full control.
- Connect to Necessary Data Only
Don’t collect every single data you get from a customer. More data puts you at increased risk, so only collect what you need. Once you collect the necessary information, encrypt it. Keep in mind that you should also let the customers know what information you need and why you need it.
- Pick the Right Cloud Services
Since so many businesses take advantage of cloud services lately, it’s crucial to choose the right ones. You must find cloud services that help you take care of your needs. There are many cloud service providers available, so take your time doing some research until you find a suitable one. Ideally, it should give you the highest level of protection and the best services.
- Plan for Hard Times
Things can easily go south even when you work to improve your cybersecurity. So, make a plan for when things go wrong. With the right plan, you will know exactly what you should do if your business becomes the target of a cybersecurity attacker and how to get over it. It can also help your team react quickly to improve the safety of the business.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is necessary for any business. Attackers are always looking for new ways to gain access to accounts and finances and you must be prepared. Follow these tips and you will be able to improve your safety. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bridewell MDR services for improved cybersecurity.