Lately, there’s been an increase in the sale of video doorbells and other home surveillance systems. These systems give a sense of protection to homeowners. But people do more than just surveillance when protecting their homes. Caring about your business’ cybersecurity posture should be measured in the same scale as keeping your home safe. Think about it this way:
- If a complete stranger rings your doorbell, do you automatically let them in?
- Have you ever left your house wondering if you locked the door?
- Do you routinely check the batteries of your fire alarm system?
- Do you usually check the stove after cooking a meal to make sure it is turned off?
Overlooking the importance of keeping your business safe from cyberattacks doesn’t necessarily guarantee that something bad will occur. But it will certainly increase the chances of being at a higher risk for a potential cyberattack. Here are four tips to keep your business safe:
- Password Refresh and Password Protection. This is the low hanging fruit that every business should employ. Changing passwords periodically is like changing the batteries of your fire alarm system: no one really enjoys this task but it can certainly prevent your home from a terrible disaster. Also, do not keep passwords on sticky notes or visible places; make sure the password is strong enough to include special characters and numbers; and do not use the same password for more than one application. For businesses seeking extra protection, consider implementing two-factor authentication, particularly for sensitive system applications.
- Think twice before clicking on an email link or attachment. If you receive an email from a suspicious source asking you to click on a link or open an attachment, stop and verify your source. If you recognize the sender’s name, contact them to corroborate the email is legitimate. Nowadays, email accounts are being spoofed making people automatically assume the email is “safe”. For businesses seeking extra protection, consider implementing enhanced email security tools.
- Policy and Training Development. Creating a cybersecurity policy is more important than people might think. These two components are the pillars of a strong cybersecurity program. Not only does a policy set the tone about the company’s view on cybersecurity, but customers also prefer doing business with companies that want to protect their best interests. If your business handles customer sensitive data, then this should be a no brainer. In terms of training development, businesses should forego the “check-the-box”, off-the-shelf training. A more effective training is one that is interactive, tailored to your business needs, and routinely performed. Train your workforce with real-life cases and they will be better prepared when faced with a cyber threat themselves.
- Hire a third-party firm to conduct an independent review of your cybersecurity program. This is like hiring a home inspector to make sure there are no hidden leaks or problem areas in your home. These types of assessments will allow you to identify vulnerable areas needing immediate attention while also concentrating on establishing a more secure infrastructure in the long term.
Would like to learn more about how to keep your business safe from potential cyber threats? Contact us for a free consultation.
