Oftentimes, larger corporations have the most grandiose security precautions while small businesses skip the extra security measures because they think they don’t need it or don’t have enough in their budget. With years of small business IT experience, our team at Premier IT has seen the effect of this firsthand when clients come to us for help. The truth is that companies of any size are susceptible to cybersecurity attacks – especially small, under-protected businesses. In fact, a whopping 90% of worldwide security breaches happen to small businesses. If you’re hoping to better safeguard your system, keep reading to learn 5 cybersecurity tips for small businesses below.
Do Small Businesses Need Cybersecurity?
Yes! Small businesses often need cybersecurity the most precisely because they are an easier target. According to a Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses instead of large corporations. As small businesses navigate the remote work landscape, they are exposing themselves to new security risks. Without the tools to provide them with a snapshot of their exposures, there may be threats already infiltrating their network and threatening their business.
5 Ways to Enhance Cybersecurity in Small Businesses
It’s never too late to start investing more in your IT infrastructure. There are a handful of steps that all organizations should take, and those steps are much more attainable with a trusted IT partner. Virtual private networks (VPNs) and a strong password strategy, updated software, multi-factor authentication, backed-up data, and educated employees are the foundation for a secure network. Learn how to prevent cyber scams with our tried and trusted cybersecurity precautions.
1. Secure with VPNs and Passwords
Two of the strongest methods of keeping your data secure are by using a virtual private network (VPN) and creating strong passwords that are updated regularly. By using a VPN, it can protect against cyber attacks by:
- Keeping your IP address hidden
- Encrypting traffic and ensuring data is unreadable
- Preventing malware, phishing, and other security threats
Creating strong passwords and updating them every few months also helps prevent cybersecurity attackers. The longer a password is in use, the greater the chance it could be compromised. Similarly, weak passwords also provide an easier in for anyone trying to steal information.
2. Update Software Regularly
By routinely updating your company’s software, your data can be better protected. These updates can help:
- Patch weak spots
- Improve encryption
- Protect data better
- Add new security features
- Enhance protocols
- Fix bugs
Software updates are helpful all around in protecting your business data. If your company is rarely updating your system, chances are that your data has a higher risk of being stolen. However, keeping updates a priority can help counteract this.
3. Add Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is an easy way to provide more security and prevent data from being stolen. By adding an additional checkpoint when employees log in, it makes it harder for hackers to get in. Even if a hacker somehow manages to get a hold of someone’s password, they still need to get past the remaining authentication factors. While it’s not fail-proof, this method ensures there’s another barrier between your small business and data thieves.
4. Backup Data Weekly
While backing up data doesn’t directly prevent cybersecurity breaches, it does help provide a future remedy if data is stolen. The scary truth is that 60% of small businesses never recover from a cyber attack. However, by backing up your data consistently, you can help negate any negative effects that arise if a breach ever occurs. Backing up your data can help recover critical systems and data more quickly to reduce downtime, it can be used to investigate the breach, and it can help your small business return to normalcy faster.
5. Provide Cybersecurity Training
One of the easiest, most neglected ways to prevent cybersecurity attacks is simply providing cybersecurity training to your team. By creating awareness surrounding cybersecurity threats, your team is better equipped to notice phishing attempts and malware attacks before they become an issue. Coaching your team how to create better passwords, use multi-factor authentication, and reduce human error on their end can all help prevent data loss.
Bonus Tip: Partner with an IT Security Team
One of the easiest ways to accomplish the 5 cybersecurity tips for small businesses that we’ve laid out above is to partner with an IT security company like Premier IT. By working with a company well-versed in information technology and data security, you can ensure that you are better safeguarded from future problems. If you don’t currently have an IT team working on your data protection, now is the time to look into that.
Premier IT is a Minnesota based managed IT services provider with a dedicated IT support team that manages all your technology needs. We pay attention to the details so you can focus on what you do best. We provide technical consulting, hosted infrastructure, computer & network support, security, Microsoft support, repairs, network monitoring and more. If your small business needs reliable technical support, contact our team of experienced technicians and engineers.