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18 Ways to Protect Your Business from a Cyber Attack

What is Cyber Security and Why Does Your Business Need It?

Every day, your business is at risk of being attacked by cyber criminals. When it comes to your cyber security, it’s critical to never let your guard down. You should take a multi-pronged approach to your business’ online security. Here are 18 ways to better protect your company from a cyber attack.

1. Conduct a Security Assessment

Before you invest in new technology or take additional steps to secure your network, it’s important to know where your security currently stands. A cyber attack security assessment will help you establish a baseline that you can build on.

2. Develop an Assessment Response

Following a security assessment, you will know what actions to take to improve your network security. An assessment response is a detailed strategy that outlines what steps your business should follow in response to the assessment.

3. Guard Against Ransomware

Ransomware poses an unprecedented threat to a business, and it’s not large corporations that are at risk. Small businesses are the primary target of ransomware attacks. Hackers usually enter your network two to four weeks before locking your data, making it crucial to have a proactive cyber security response.

4. Protect Your Email from Phishing Attempts

Many ransomware threats enter your company’s network via phishing attacks, which generally arise through emails. Utilize email scanning, web content filtering and security access training to protect your network from these types of cyber attack threats.

7. Guard Your Company Passwords

If an account becomes compromised, the easiest way to take back control is to change its password. Be proactive and change your passwords on a regular basis. Even if an account is  hacked, updating your password will lock out the intruder. Use a password manager and set complex passwords to decrease the possibility of hacker access.

8. Require Unique Usernames

It is no longer acceptable for multiple users to share a common username for business software. Sharing makes it easier for former employees to access your system. Requiring unique usernames also makes it simpler to review how each employee uses your software.

9. Include Mobile Security

Many businesses are concerned about computer security, yet overlook mobile security altogether. As your cell phone moves from place to place, the surface area of a potential cyber attack increases. Keeping mobile traffic off of private networks and utilizing all authentication tools at your disposal can help you keep your business data secure.

10. Manage Your Backups

One of the biggest objectives of a security assessment is to ensure that you have a reliable data backup. Test your backup data regularly and store it in at least two locations – one being off-site – to securely protect it. A network-attached storage device can help you securely store data natively and off-site in case of a catastrophic data failure.

11. Determine a Recover Time Objective

Each backup should have a recovery time objective (RTO). An RTO is a specific timeframe for systems to be up and running following a data failure. Having one in place can potentially protect you from a long-lasting data issue that can threaten your business operations.

12. Purchase Cybersecurity Insurance

No matter how secure your network may be, there’s always some chance of a cyber attack. Purchasing cyber security insurance helps protect your finances in the event an attack occurs. Shop around for the best rate and review the checklists that each company offers for its claims.

13. Employ Antivirus Software

Every device on your network should be running up-to-date antivirus software. Devices that are not should be off your network and locked out of outbound access. Good antivirus software can detect possible ransomware attacks as well as standard viruses. Utilize a central server to manage your antivirus software for the strongest, most streamlined experience.

14. Use SIEM Software

Security information and event software (SIEM) is the newest solution taking over the security industry. It’s effective for tracking information usage by location as well as monitoring employee data usage. SIEM software can create alerts when odd activity occurs, while its detailed logs help administrators investigate intrusion attempts.

15. Encrypt Your Emails

Because sensitive data is often transferred through email, your company emails should be encrypted. Third-party email applications such as Microsoft 365 have add-ons that offer encryption. Using second-factor or multi-factor authentication (MFA) can also add greater protection to sensitive email data.

16. Manage Your Firewall

Network firewalls should be kept up to date with the latest firmware. Newer firewalls have additional layers of security that older versions do not offer. Some layers include the inspection of data before it enters your network and intrusion prevention service (IPS). IPS helps stop intrusions at your network’s gateway.

17. Utilize Gateway Anti-Malware Protection

Anti-malware protection should exist beyond the device level. Gateway-level protection locates pre-defined malware coming into your network and shuts it down before entry. It should be used as a supplement to device-level antimalware protection but should not replace it.

18. Set Up Security Alerts

It’s important to be aware of what’s happening on your network. Make sure that all of your devices are set to send alerts when security events occur. Make it a point to review these events periodically to ensure that nothing is missed.

A cyber attack could have a number of detrimental effects on your business, and the threat of such an occurrence exists every day. Protecting your cyber security from multiple angles allows you to defend your business against these threats in a powerful way. Starting with a security assessment and responding through various network security measures is a solid approach to protect your network.