Tips to Protect Your Business Against Cyber Attacks

Are you a small or midsized company that seeks to protect its data and secure all its information from cybercriminals? If so, you may need to be more vigilant than ever. Research indicates that most cyber-attacks targeted small and midsized companies over the past two years.

However, you have no reason to panic since this article provides you with some tips that can assist you in protecting your firm from cyber-attacks.

Why have cyber-attacks become so rampant?

The increase in internet connectivity has in one area or another, contributed to the rampant cases of cyber-attacks and related issues. Malicious people are using their internet and computer know-how to carry out malicious attacks against individuals and organizations.

Small and medium firms have become victims of cyber criminals due to various weaknesses that exist in their systems. These weak links are the ones that are often exploited by cybercriminals to gain access to private information of such companies maliciously.

As a result, it is critical for small organizations to be more vigilant and take steps that will keep cybercriminals at bay. Some of the tips you can use to stay safe as a small business are detailed below:

Always use strong passwords:

The use of strong passwords has been overemphasized for ages. As a business, whether small or big, you need to ensure that your data is safe and secure at all times. Often, cybercriminals find it a walk in the park if you use weak passwords.

Therefore, you should make it a practice to train your employees on some of the precautions they can take to ensure that all the company's data are secure. Undisputedly, the first step to do so is by using strong passwords.

You can make your passwords strong by using a two-step verification process when logging into personal accounts. For instance, you can set up a two-factor notification and ensure that you receive a verification code as an SMS before logging in. Doing so will ensure that cybercriminals won't guess or access your company's information so easily.

However, some of the common mistakes that you can avoid when creating your passwords are:

• Using easily predictable letters and figures such as your date of birth or name.
• Using letters or numbers that are in succession on the keyboard

Encrypt your data:

Have you ever thought of encrypting your data? All in all, there is no data in your organization that is less important. For that reason, you should treat all information with regard.

Most platforms like Cloud Secure have an option that enables you to encrypt your data. With that in mind, you can take advantage of that option and encrypt all your data and make them secure.

After encryption, all the data will technically be pointless to anyone who doesn't work in your firm. Additionally, you can automatically set up your system to log out clients who stay inactive for over ten minutes to enhance security.

Use a firewall:

A firewall to your computer's database plays a similar role that a guard plays in your home. Cybercriminals will have a hard time hacking your computer once you secure it with a firewall.

They work by controlling all the traffic that comes into your business database. Subsequently, a firewall will sift all traffic trying to gain access to your website and lockout malicious ones.

Use an antivirus:

In case you weren't aware, the use of antiviruses has been an age-old practice that is here to stay. They are essential since viruses are the major threat to your servers.

A virus works by weakening your servers and making them vulnerable to outside invasion. Therefore, you should install a reliable antivirus and make it a habit of updating it to the latest version frequently.

Always update your operating system: The operating system you use is the cornerstone of your business. Your first goal as a company should be to build a robust operating system that will secure all your data. Most importantly, always remember to update your OS to the latest version to keep off cybercriminals.

In summary, it is vital to note that the internet age has brought with it a multitude of benefits as well as risks. Risks such as cyber-attacks can deal a significant blow to your organization if not tamed. However, the above tips will keep you and your business safe if implemented correctly.

At getNext we are committed to helping our customers safeguard their IT integrity and ensure their business continuity, focusing on business outcomes, not technology solutions alone.