Each security professional and employee has a part to play in the success or failure of your business. Investing time and money to train employees and executives alike will protect your business from most potential disasters. As you discuss your security plan for the year, reiterate the importance of employee training and cybersecurity best practices for your business.
In this article, we will talk about cybersecurity best practices for professionals and add a few tips for your employees in the mix.
Cybersecurity Best Practices For Security Specialists
Stay Up To Date On Current Threats
Security threats are always evolving. Hackers refine pre-existing hacking software to make it more efficient or they come up with something new. This means that you, as a professional, need to be well-versed in each new threat and make sure that your business is fortified. You can focus on today’s emergencies while protecting your business from future attacks like ransomware and more.
Always Stay Prepared For Emergencies
Even with tight cyber security, security breaches will still happen from time to time. It’s always a good idea to stay prepared in case the worst happens. Always backup your data and have early detection systems that alert you to threats speedily so that you can take the necessary steps like blocking or quarantining the threat.
Prioritize Strong Authentication
A business account with weak security provides an easy way for hackers to infiltrate your business and gain access to critical data. Multi-factor authentication requires the user to provide at least two login details to be able to access their account. This creates strong defenses and makes it harder for hackers to break through the walls of defense. You can also make it mandatory for your employees to have strong passwords. It is advisable for security experts and anyone with privileged access to important data to have multi-factor authentication.
Make Sure Security Policies Are Always Up To Date
Most businesses often neglect to update their security policies. The most current security policies always factor in the most recent security threats and the latest technologies.
With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) becoming more popular, businesses have become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Your security policy as a business should always cover BYOD to minimize risk. Before the pandemic, 95% of businesses already allowed employees to use personal devices for work. Since the pandemic hit, more and more employees have been working remotely and have been accessing sensitive company data using their personal devices. As a result, 85% of businesses have adopted BYOD policies to protect their data.
Train Employees On Best Security Practices
Most employees do not attach much importance to good cyber hygiene and this can prove to be devastating in the long run. In addition to giving them cyber hygiene tips, your employees need to understand why it’s important for them to observe good cyber hygiene. A voluntary shift in practices will have more impact than something employees feel obligated or pushed to do.
Security Tips For Employees
Practice Caution
Hackers have targeted unsuspecting victims just by sending a text or an email that redirects the victim to a phishing site. Practicing caution as an employee will keep both you and the business safe. Before opening an email or link, do everything possible to check its credibility.
Do you know who the sender is?
Does the URL in the link match the one that pops up when you hover your mouse above the link?
Does the email or link look genuine?
These are just some of the things to consider before clicking on links or opening emails. Practicing caution will help you to steer clear of phishing sites where your personal information may be stolen and used to commit fraud or identity theft. In some instances, opening phishing emails also exposes your work system to attacks.
Use Private Networks
If possible, use private networks whenever you need to access the internet. Public Wi-Fi might seem convenient, but it leaves your computer vulnerable to any lurking threats. When you have no choice but to use public Wi-Fi, make use of a military-grade VPN. A VPN masks your real IP address and if anyone is watching, they will not be able to see the sites you are visiting or any other information. A private network has firewalls or routers that block hackers and close direct access to your computer or other devices. This minimizes the chances of cyberattacks. A VPN is also invaluable if you are working remotely and need to protect company data.
Use Anti-Virus Software
Even when using a private network, you can never be too secure. Always use antivirus software to block, eliminate, and quarantine any threats to your computer. Antivirus software will greatly reduce your vulnerability every time you are online and put your mind at ease.
Always keep your antivirus software updated for the best results. Software companies introduce updates to upgrade security so they can combat new threats. Out-of-date antivirus software will not be effective against new and evolved threats. Always backup your data and comply with business policies in case an attack is successful. Always make it a point to check if your backups are still working.
Always Be Prepared
In addition to using anti-malware software, always use a strong password that will be difficult for hackers to guess. A weak password is one of the easiest ways for hackers to access your device. You can use a password manager program like Dashlane. A password manager program will remember your passwords and help you to create strong passwords for each application, business, and more.
Apply Cybersecurity Best Practices And Protect Your Business For 2022 And Beyond
Cybersecurity never stays rooted in one place for a long time. It is always evolving to match the threats that are always popping up. Security specialists, employees, and executives should always be vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity and cybersecurity best practices. Taking steps like having multi-factor authentication, updating security policies, and training employees can put your business one step ahead of most malicious threats. Prioritize cybersecurity best practices in your business and protect your business from cyber-attacks.