Do you have any skeletons in your closet? You may not have old skeletons hidden away but there is a good chance that you have cybersecurity vulnerabilities lurking in the shadows.
Here are some of the most common cybersecurity issues that you may not realise can cause your business issues.
Outdated Software:
Updating software can be a hassle. It is annoying having to wait for you software to update before you can do any work. However, running outdated software is like inviting hackers in with open arms.
When software vendors release updates, they often include crucial security patches. These patches fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Don’t let outdated software compromise your business. Keep everything up to date and safe.
Weak Passwords
If your passwords are weak, you might as well be handing out your office keys to cyber criminals. Instead, create strong and unique passwords for all accounts and devices. Consider using a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Password managers can be a lifesaver for generating and storing complex passwords securely.
As a business owner, you cannot expect your employees to do this naturally. Provide them with requirements for creating passwords or enforce the use of a password manager.
Unsecured Wi-Fi
Imagine this: A cybercriminal sitting in a parked car. He is snooping on your business’s unsecured Wi-Fi network. Unsecured Wi-Fi can be a ghostly gateway for hackers to intercept sensitive data.
Ensure your Wi-Fi is password protected. Make sure your router used WPA2 or WPA3 encryption for an added layer of security. For critical business tasks consider a virtual private network (VPN). It can shield your data from prying eyes.
Lack of Employee Training
Your employees can be your business’s strongest line of defence or its weakest link. Employee error is the cause of approximately 88% of all data breaches. Without proper cybersecurity training, your staff might unknowingly fall victim to phishing scams. Regularly educate your team about cybersecurity best practices.
Such as:
- Recognising phishing emails
- Avoiding suspicious websites
- Using secure file-sharing methods
No Data Backups
Imagine waking up to find your business’s data gone, vanished into the digital abyss. Without backups, this nightmare can become a reality. Data loss can be due to hardware failures or ransomware attacks. As well as many other unforeseen disasters.
Embrace the 3-2-1 rule. Have at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types. With one copy stored securely offsite. Regularly test your backups to ensure they are functional and reliable.
No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Using only a password to protect your accounts is asking for trouble. It is like having nothing but a screen door at the entrance of your business. Adding MFA provides an extra layer of protection. It requires users to provide extra authentication factors. Such as a one-time code or passkey. This makes it much harder for cyber attackers to breach your accounts.
Disregarding Mobile Security
Mobile devices have become office workhorses. They can also be haunted by security risk. Ensure that all company issues devices have passcodes or biometric lock enabled. Consider implementing mobile device management (MDM) solutions. These will enable you to enforce security policies. As well as remotely wipe data and ensure devices stay up to date.
Shadow IT
Shadow IT refers to the use of unauthorised applications within your business. It might seem harmless when employees use convenient tools they find online. But these unvetted applications can pose serious security risks. Put in place a clear policy for the use of software and services within your business. Regularly audit your systems to uncover any shadow IT lurking under cover.
Incident Response Plan
Even with all precautions in place, security incidents can still happen. Without an incident response plan, an attack can leave your business scrambling.
Develop a comprehensive incident response plan. It should outline key items, such as; how your team will detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. Regularly test and update the plan to ensure its effectiveness.
If this sounds confusing, hard or you are just not sure where to start. Get in touch today, we would love to help.