Six Tips to Improve Cybersecurity Within Your Business

In today's digital age, cybersecurity is a critical issue that every business must address. A single security breach can cause significant damage to a company, including financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Therefore, it is essential to take proactive steps to improve the cybersecurity of your business.  

Here are six things you should do to begin to cyber-proof your business.

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1.  Develop a cybersecurity plan.

The first step in improving the security of your business is to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. This plan should outline the security measures that your business needs to take to protect itself against cyber threats. Every cybersecurity plan should include the following:

• Identification of potential risks and vulnerabilities
• Prioritization  of risks and vulnerabilities based upon the severity of the threat
• Implementation of security controls to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities
• Regular testing and updating of security controls
• Procedures for responding to security incidents

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2.  Train your employees on cybersecurity best practices

Human error is one of the leading causes of cybersecurity breaches.  Therefore, it is crucial to train your employees on cybersecurity best practices. This training should include:

• Password management. Employees should be taught how to create strong passwords and how to protect their passwords from being compromised.
• Phishing awareness.  Employees should be trained to recognize phishing emails and other social engineering tactics used by hackers to gain access to sensitive information.
• Mobile device security.  Employees should be taught how to secure their mobile devices, including the use of passcodes, encryption and remote wiping capabilities.
• Data handling.  Employees should be trained on how to handle sensitive data, including how to transfer, store and dispose of data securely.

3.  Implement Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), adds an extra layer of security to user accounts. With MFA, users must provide additional proof of their identity before accessing an account, such as a code sent to their mobile device or a fingerprint scan. Implementing MFA can

significantly reduce unauthorized access to sensitive data.

4. Keep Software and Systems Up to Date

Hacker soften exploit vulnerabilities in software and systems to gain access to sensitive data.  Therefore, it is essential to keep all software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This includes not only your operating system and antivirus software, but also any third-party software you business needs.

5 .Backup Your Data

Regularly backing up your data is critical in case of a security breach or data loss.  Backups should be stored securely and separately offsite, preferably in a location that is not connected to your business network.  In the event of a security breach, you can use your backup data to restore your systems and data quickly.

6. Hire People With Cybersecurity Expertise as Part of Your Staff

A cybersecurity professional can assess your organization’s vulnerabilities, implement security measures and monitor suspicious activity. They can also train your employees on best practices for maintaining security and respond quickly to security breaches. Without a dedicated cybersecurity person on staff, your business may be more susceptible to cyberattacks, which can lead to costly data breaches and damage to your reputation.  

If you are in need of a cybersecurity professional, please reach out to Eleven Fifty Academy at 317-754-8434. We have new graduates each month that are equipped to help!

Improving the cybersecurity of your business is an ongoing process. By implementing the tips discussed, you can significantly reduce the risk of a security breach. However, it is essential to remain vigilant and stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.

Written by: Tony Smarrella and Tyler Broyles

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