As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, businesses must protect themselves and their customers. However, many small businesses are not taking such threats seriously. According to reports, only 5% of small business owners believe that cybercrime is their company’s biggest risk. This is even though up to 60% of small businesses have already shut down their operations six months after a cyber attack.
There are many steps you can take to improve the online security of your business. The following allows you to streamline the process and make it more effective.
Hiring Professional Security Experts
What better way to maximize your brand’s online security than hiring professional security experts? You may have a security guard or two at your physical location, but what about online? Remember that physical security won’t automatically translate to online safety.
IT experts can provide several services, such as malware removal and prevention, website security, and network security. They can assess your current security setup, make recommendations on how to improve it, develop a security plan and implement it.
When looking for an IT security expert, check their credentials and experience. You want to make sure that they are qualified to do the job and that they offer IT-managed services. This way, you can be sure that your business’ online security is in good hands.
The right professional will have years of experience and can tailor their services to meet the specific needs of your business. They have 24/7 monitoring services, offer cloud service management, and are committed to transparency.
Educate Employees About the Risks of Cybercrime and How To Avoid Them
You can protect your business from online threats by educating your employees. Most cyber-attacks happen because of human error rather than technical flaws. By addressing the risks with your employees, you can make them more aware of the dangers and how to avoid them.
There are many ways you can educate your employees about cybercrime. You can start by holding regular meetings to discuss the issue. You can also provide training on protecting themselves and company data against phisers and circulate security tips and reminders regularly.
Let’s say you run a small business with 10 employees. You can start by holding a meeting to discuss the issue of cybercrime and its risks. Provide an overview of the problem and explain how it can affect businesses.
You can also go over some basic security measures, such as using strong passwords and being careful about what links they click on. Afterward, provide training on specific topics, such as phishing scams, pass around security tips, and give them constant reminders. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your employees know the risks of cybercrime and how to avoid them.
Restricting Employee Access to Sensitive Information
There are business information that only certain employees should have access to. This is why it’s crucial to restrict employee access to sensitive information. By doing so, you can minimize the chances of a data breach.
Sensitive information includes customer data, financial records, and trade secrets. Only employees who need this information for their job should have access to it.
For example, if you have a customer database, only employees who need to access it should have login credentials. If an employee no longer needs access to this information, don’t forget to revoke their credentials.
You also have the option to use role-based access control. This means you give employees different access levels based on their job functions. For example, a customer service representative would have different access than a marketing manager. This way, you can be sure that only the people who need to access sensitive information can do so.
Reporting Cyber Attacks Immediately
Many small businesses don’t report cyber-attacks because they’re embarrassed or think it won’t do any good. But this is a mistake.
You should report cyber attacks immediately to the proper authorities, such as the police or the FBI. Doing so can help them catch the perpetrators and prevent future attacks.
You should also report the attack to your insurance company. Many policies have clauses that cover cyber attacks, so you may be able to get compensated for damages.
Finally, tell your employees and customers about the attack. You may be afraid about your brand’s reputation, but it’s better to be open and transparent. This shows that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your business and its customers. This will also make them more aware of the risks of cybercrime.
Businesses these days face online threats from all sorts of cybercriminals. Failure to take the necessary steps to protect your business can lead to severe consequences, such as data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. But by following these tips, you can streamline your business’ online security and reduce the risk of a cyber attack.
