Cybersecurity is More than Just the Technology
Cybersecurity should be a top priority for every business. As cybercrime increases in frequency, size, and sophistication, focusing on secure technologies alone is no longer a sufficient approach to being protected against an attack. While many organisations focus on technical controls, they often fail to focus on the humanistic aspect of cybersecurity – the users. What is true for any organisation, is that cyber risks can be controlled. Cybercriminals are not invincible, and while they can cause real damage to your business, there are steps you can take to protect yourself against them.
The biggest concern is that many businesses think that the risk of a cyberattack is an IT problem. The world of cybersecurity is dominated by suppliers that sell specialist, technical products that detect and remove intruders such as antivirus software and malware detection. These tools are essential for basic security and must be integrated into your technical systems, however, they are not the backbone of a holistic and robust cybersecurity strategy. Good security starts with people, and while you may think of leaving it to your IT department, knowledge and awareness of all users is essential for a strong cybersecurity strategy.
Cybersecurity best practices encompass some general best practices, such as being cautious when engaging in online activities and reaching out for clarification when you encounter something suspicious, however, the following practices will help keep you and your business more secure in an online environment:
Enable Multifactor Authentication
MFA helps you protect your sensitive data by adding an extra layer of security to your account. Even if a malicious entity had access to your password, they would still require a second form of authentication such as a biometric, security token or mobile device to sign in to your account. While simple, MFA is among the most important practices of cybersecurity.
Document your cybersecurity policies
A written policy serves as a formal guide to all cybersecurity measures. To effectively deal with any incident that may arise, it is important to have a reporting structure in place that will enable staff to identify and report incidents promptly.
Educate employees
According to Endpoint Protector, 23% of data breaches are caused by human error. Educating your staff on cybersecurity practices will dramatically reduce the chance of a breach within your business. At ServiceScaler, we provide all our customers with cybersecurity fundamentals training. Watch Addressing You Insecurities: Cybersecurity Starts With You for free here.
Enforce safe passwords
Yes, changing and managing passwords can be a hassle, however, 4/5 ‘hacks’ are found to be the result of a weak password. All employees need to have secure passwords that contain uppercase, lowercase, numbers and characters to prevent such ‘hacks’ from occurring.
Regularly backup data
While it is important to prevent attacks as much as possible, in the worst-case scenario, having backups of your businesses files is an essential part of good cybersecurity practice. Be sure you have all your latest backups stored in the cloud to ensure in the event of hardware failure, your data is securely contained.
Avoid suspicious pop-ups, emails and links
While it may seem obvious, always remain cautious when processing emails and other forms of communication over the internet. Phishing emails can appear to be sent from clients or colleagues but are intended to steal your information or infect your device with malware. If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of an email or other forms of communication, always confirm with another user or your security department.
Install antivirus software
Antivirus detection tools detect and remove any suspicious-looking files from your devices. Having this software installed on your PC’s is an essential line of defence for securing data that is stored locally on your devices.
So there you have it! Our top 7 tips for practising proper cybersecurity hygiene. If you need assistance with setting up your firm’s cybersecurity policy, would like a cyber training workshop for your team or simply wish to speak with one of our technology consultants, get in contact with our team.
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