Businesses are benefitting hugely from improved technology, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. It helps to keep teams connected, smoothes management processes, and makes collaboration simple. However, as technology advances, cyberattacks have also become more common and more sophisticated.
Unfortunately, small businesses are most at risk. They lack the necessary infrastructure to identify and prevent attacks and outsource more to third-party organisations – who are also susceptible to a cybersecurity breach.
As a small business owner, you must be aware of how to protect your business. Try these 5 cybersecurity tips to keep your assets safe.
1. Don’t Underestimate
Owners of small and large businesses alike often overlook the potential of being hacked until it is too late. However, in today’s world, cyberattacks are extremely common. The methods used by cybercriminals are constantly improving and becoming more advanced. Being prepared is the first and most critical step in the prevention of online threats.
2. Back-up All Information
If you are the victim of a cybersecurity attack, the hacker may have used specific malware that prevents you and your organisation from accessing your systems – unless you pay a ransom. These attacks are called ransomware attacks and they’re becoming more common. To prepare for these attacks, be sure to back up all essential information that your business needs to operate so if the worst does happen, your entire operation doesn’t come to a grinding halt.
3. Run Simulated Cyberattacks
You can hugely benefit from completing tabletop exercises to see how your staff nd systems would respond in the event of a real-life cyberattack. This will allow you to see gaps in understanding and will help you identify weaknesses that could be exploited.
4. Invest in Cybersecurity Wisely
Many small businesses neglect the need for cybersecurity with the primary reason being that budget doesn’t allow it. However, you should assess your assets and see how much you could be liable for if you were targeted by hackers. If this is something you cannot stand to lose, investing in cybersecurity or having a third-party company protect your assets would be a worthwhile investment.
5. Check for Vulnerabilities
It is important that you regularly check where your company’s vulnerabilities sit so that you can improve any potential weak spots. To do so, you should invest in a vulnerability scanner that will frequently check your servers, networks, systems, and applications for weaknesses that hackers could target.