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Small Business Cybersecurity: Tips to Safeguard Your Business Online

Small businesses are targeted in nearly 50% of all cyberattacks annually. Despite limited resources and preparedness, they must take measures to protect their online systems. Medium-sized businesses are also at risk. To prevent security breaches, invest in top-notch protection and follow these 10 cybersecurity tips. Stay one step ahead of hackers!

How can I protect and secure my online business?

#1 Install Antivirus Software

Safeguard your small business from cyberattacks using reliable antivirus software. Detect and stop potential threats before they breach your security measures with the help of these simple yet effective systems. By installing and scaling up these defenses, you’ll have a much stronger barrier against online threats. Shield your business with top-tier antivirus protection.

#2 Pick a VPN

What do small businesses need in cyber security? If you thought about VPN, then you thought right. VPNs are especially important for small businesses and employees working from home. Without a strong cyber security setup at home, employees accessing sensitive information from a larger company network may create a weakness in the entire system. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that anyone accessing your company network or work materials through public Wi-Fi uses a VPN for increased protection. All you need is to install VPN for free and your level of cybersecurity for businesses will increase significantly. This is due to the encryption of data before it is sent, as well as additional security systems that high-tech VPN providers such as VeePN use.

#3 Human Firewall Tactics

Did you know that 90% of malware attacks stem from phishing attempts, and nearly half of all cyber security breaches are due to employee negligence? The best defense against hacking is to ensure that all employees are IT literate. To start training, we suggest that all employees undergo the same cyber security program to ensure that everyone has the foundational knowledge necessary to keep your organization safe. Protect your company by investing in employee cyber security education.

#4 Install SSL Certificate

Are you running your small business website on HTTP? Many believe it’s enough to prevent hackers, but it’s actually an invitation to them. Hackers actively seek out unencrypted personally identifiable information (PII), so it’s crucial to explore a solution like HTTPS. This digital protocol adds SSL encryption to HTTP, securing data between the client-server and web browser. By making the switch, you’ll protect your business from hacking and Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attempts. Increase cybersecurity for your business and switch to HTTPS today.

#5 Multi-factor Authentication

Protecting your data is crucial, and using multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a common practice that enhances security. With MFA, users are required to provide at least two proofs of their identity. For instance, a code can be sent to a separate device to verify the user’s identity before granting access to an online account.

#6 Robust Monitoring System

How can I make my business cyber secure? One way is to keep a detailed inventory of all equipment and software utilized by your company. Be sure to remove any sensitive data from these devices and disconnect them from the primary network. Additionally, it is important to change all passwords when an employee departs the organization. Connection monitoring is important and can be implemented even over a VPN. You only need to improve VPN performance to the highest possible level so that you don’t experience any lag. This is mainly due to the level of performance and bandwidth of the provider. That is, you need to choose a first-class software product, then your employees will not experience difficulties with the speed of the Internet.

#7 Keep Machines Clean

To protect your machines, it’s crucial to clean out the internal systems. Priority should be given to installing the latest security software and updating the operating system to ensure bug fixes and new safeguards are in place. Keep your systems up-to-date to safeguard against potential threats.

#8 Give Cybersecurity Training

Secure your organization’s online security by empowering your team to detect and thwart cyber threats. Train them to recognize potential dangers and take action to prevent them from becoming bigger problems. Remember, your employees are your first line of defense.

#9 Investing in Cyber Insurance

Shield your digital enterprise from the financial blow of cyber-attacks by acquiring a cyber insurance policy. In today’s digital world, possessing coverage is paramount. Additionally, it can help offset any claims costs for those affected by your organization’s actions or lack thereof. Safeguard your business – obtain a cyber insurance policy today.

#10 Do Not Use Public Wi-Fi

To prioritize your company’s online security, it’s necessary to prevent employees from connecting to the work network on public Wi-Fi without a VPN. But why stop there? We suggest taking it a step further by completely forbidding any access to work accounts or networks while using public Wi-Fi. With hackers targeting public wifi as a prime hunting ground, even fortified devices can be at risk. Whenever possible, it’s best to steer clear of these networks and only rely on them as a last resort. Safeguard your business and stay secure online.

Conclusion

Protect your business from cyber threats with these essential security measures. Investing in data protection, antivirus software, a VPN, and multi-factor authentication, as well as providing cybersecurity training to employees, can make your business much more resilient to attacks. By taking these easy steps, your business can withstand up to 95% of potential cyberattacks. Don’t wait until it’s too late – safeguard your business now.

Andy Macpherson

Andy Macpherson is a Brighton-based blogger, amateur golfer and photographer with a passion for capturing the essence of his surroundings. Born and raised in Hove, he has spent almost his entire life exploring the streets and beaches of Brighton, always with a DLSR in hand. When he's not out taking photos or hacking his way around the golf course, Andy can often be found gorging on Pad Thai. As a self-proclaimed foodie, Andy is always on the lookout for new restaurants and dishes to try, which is the main reason behind why he loves reviewing food places for the site.