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For any business owner, thinking through cybersecurity protections to put in place should be a priority. Bad actors take no breaks throughout the year and neither should your cybersecurity.
When it comes to your business, cybersecurity is a topic not to be overlooked or taken lightly. All businesses need to protect themselves from Cybersecurity threats, but it can be a fear that the process requires enduring complex security systems and shelling out loads of cash.
The reality is a lot of risks can be mitigated by adding proactive security-mindedness to the business culture. For larger organizations or those handling sensitive information, the complexity and cost depends on the size of the organization and complexity of existing systems.
That said, most small businesses I work with are pretty straight-forward and tend to rely on straightforward and standard email accounts, web presence, and sometimes app integrations.
Simple cybersecurity processes and procedures can go a long way in protecting your systems and your business. Below are the top 5 cybersecurity basics I recommend based on working with businesses and seeing their common mistakes that leave them open to vulnerabilities.
1. Employee Training: The First Line of DefenseYour employees are often the first point of contact when a cyberattack sneaks its way in. Phishing emails are designed to manipulate users into providing sensitive data, not limited to credentials, company finances, personal details of other employees, and especially company intellectual property. Training your team to recognize suspicious emails, links, attachments, and websites, can help prevent an attack from gaining traction.
Ensure your team understands the importance of using strong, unique, passwords, and encourage the use of a password manager to store them securely. I support Bitwarden and 1Password, but there are other options.
Additionally, enable and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing critical systems. I can’t emphasize enough how critical this is, especially for your email and financial systems.
2. Regular Software Updates and System BackupsA common vulnerability that Cybercriminals often target and exploit is outdated software and systems. Make sure your applications and systems are updating automatically, or you are scheduling to run them manually (weekly or monthly, quarterly is too long).
It can be easy to dismiss, or put off, updates but a potential consequence is leaving your systems vulnerable to nefarious cyberattacks such as ransomware, data posted on the dark web, and general sabotage.
Restoring a backup could be a better outcome versus the alternatives. Paying ransoms and/or losing all your data to start from scratch is a painful thought. According to the FBI, “Paying a ransom does not guarantee an organization will regain access to their data; in fact, some individuals or organizations were never provided with decryption keys after having paid a ransom.”
It’s also a good rule of thumb to regularly backup your data to an external hard drive and store it in a secure off-site location. There is a 3-2-1 Backup Rule you should follow; 3 data copies, 2 types of storage, and 1 off-site location.
3. Securing Your Network
You might be surprised who is paying attention to your network and looking for vulnerabilities. A secure network is foundational to any cybersecurity strategy. There are a number of ways to protect yourself. A few must-haves are implementing a firewall and making sure it's the latest version and continually being updated. I also recommend you always make sure your Wi-Fi is encrypted (i.e. requires a credential).
Also critically important is to never keep default passwords. Make sure any default passwords have been changed to something unique and longer than 15 characters. You can also consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt internet traffic and keep data secure, especially when mobile away from your own network. There are a number of reputable providers who offer a variety of options for a minimal yearly cost.
4. Data Protection and Compliance
Small businesses must also be mindful of the data they collect and how they protect it. Whether it’s customer information or internal documents, safeguarding sensitive data should be everyone’s priority.
Encrypt data both at rest and in transit, and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to it. I usually implement Role Based Access Controls (RBAC) in large organizations, but in small organizations, it may be best to think of it like buckets; the management bucket, employee bucket, and the public bucket. Many industries (in the United States) are subject to regulations regarding data protection, such as HIPPA, PCI, and maybe GDPR if you have dealings with Europe. It’s important to talk with your lawyer and verify which regulations you’re subject to.
5. Creating a Cybersecurity Policy
Finally, developing a comprehensive policy tailored to your business can help ensure that everyone in your organization is on the same page. No business is too small for this, and it should apply to everyone including the top brass.
This policy should outline best practices, security protocols, and response plans in case of an attack. This policy, like most policies, should be reviewed and updated annually or as the business changes, and should reflect and address new threats and technologies.
Implementing cybersecurity protocols can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, complex, or cost prohibitive, but it’s part of running a successful small business. By implementing best practices, you can significantly reduce your risk and protect your company’s assets, reputation, and future.
Lastly, don't silo your efforts, work with others. Make it known your business is cybersecurity aware.
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