Small and mid-sized companies are among the most vulnerable targets for cyber-criminals. It has been reported that about 43% of all known cyber-attacks in 2015 were targeted at organizations that had less than 100 employees.
While big organizations often have larger cybersecurity budgets, they are not totally free from malicious attacks. Despite the existing threats they face, many SMEs are yet to invest in fortifying their cybersecurity barriers.
This is a big risk to their employees and customers alike. Here are the top 10 ways to defend your company against cyber threats.
1. Use MFA
Multi-Factor Authentication, also known as MFA, is a security system that constitutes identity access management. It can help prevent the occurrence of cyberattacks which take the following forms: brute force, phishing, keyloggers, and credential stuffing.
The MFA system works to curb attacks by demanding extra information or user credentials before access can be allowed. For example, even if a scammer manages to set up a phishing attack, they may succeed in obtaining a particular user’s credentials. However, they won’t have answers to very personal security questions or even biometric data.
2. Train Employees on Cybersecurity
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force employees to work from home, you want them to stay productive and safe while using IT systems to work remotely and continue their work routines.
Hackers like to hit companies at their weakest points, the employees. That means even when you set up proper security systems, you are still not fully protected unless you train your employees on cybersecurity. In that case, managed IT services can help you with cybersecurity training for your employees.
3. Invest in New Tech Devices
Upgrading your company’s technological devices is another way to improve your security. The fact is that hackers don’t sleep. These are people who are always on the lookout for the vulnerability to breach your sensitive data.
New technologies come with improved cybersecurity features. So, upgrade your machines to reduce downtime and also boost productivity and security.
4. Partner with an MSP
Managed service providers (MSP) can also help your business organization steer clear of cyber threats. Tap into their security solutions to decrease your probability of losing customers sensitive data.
When you partner with MSPs, you can entrust your IT assets to be monitored by cybersecurity experts. They can also perform vulnerability assessments to detect potential flaws.
5. Increase Cybersecurity
To survive the increasing threats of cyber-attacks, you need to also increase your cybersecurity budget. Currently, many organizations are now dedicating 10% of their IT budgets to strengthen their cybersecurity.
6. Use Strong Passwords
Your password is your gateway to your IT systems and online accounts which contain sensitive data. Good security begins with setting a password that’s hard to guess.
For example, experts recommend that a strong password should contain at least 8 characters comprising a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters like @)/#.
7. Use Cloud Services
As many business organizations switch to cloud computing, cybersecurity concerns also arise. Some industry experts estimate that public cloud spending can reach $500 billion in the next 3 years. Cloud security comprises policies, new technologies, and procedures that are engineered to protect cloud-based systems from attacks.
8. Use the Principle of Least Privilege
This principle works by permitting only specific users access to IT systems. In IT-driven organizations, the application of the principle of least privilege can deny malicious users access to critical systems.
9. Regularly Update Cybersecurity Protocols
These are a set of policies that organizations use to keep their companies safe from attackers. Revising these protocols regularly can put an organization above the radar of attackers since ineffective measures can be reinforced.
10. Regularly back up all sensitive data
Prevention, they say, is better than cure. Since there’s no such thing as a perfect security system, organizations always need to have their Plan B. When you backup your sensitive data, you can still access it in the event of an attack.
Companies can defend their systems against attacks by using MFA, training their employees on security, investing in new technologies, partnering with MSPs, using strong passwords and cloud security services, and also backing up their data. Therefore, invest now in your security to protect your business and customers.
