5 Ways to Improve Your Small Business’ Cybersecurity

In today’s time, cyber-attacks on businesses as well as individuals are widespread. Generally, we hear the news of data breaches in big corporations and government agencies, but small businesses are the top priority of cybercriminals due to their weak security infrastructure. Small business owners usually neglect business security because they think that they can’t afford the same level of protection as big organizations. In that way, the majority of small businesses are vulnerable to dangerous cyber attacks. Therefore, there is a huge demand for cyber security experts in most small businesses. 

Small businesses generally have a moderate amount of data with no or minimal security. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 ways to improve your small business’s cybersecurity.

1. Secure Your Business Networks

The first thing to do for improving your small business’ cybersecurity is to use a firewall and encrypt information to safeguard your internet connections. Sometimes, you or your employees can connect their phones to a free Wi-Fi network available at coffee shops or restaurants, and this can be detrimental to your security. Always remember that connecting to an unsecured network gives hackers open access to your network systems. Make sure to have a portable hotspot that is secure and hidden. It can be done by using a Service Set Identifier (SSID), which prevents your Wi-Fi network from being broadcast. Additionally, consider learning more about FaxBridge from mFax for secure communication solutions.

Also Read: Things You Should Do Before and After a Cybersecurity Breach

2. Change Your Passwords Regularly

Source: Finance Monthly

Changing your network’s passwords is the simplest thing you can do to improve the cybersecurity of your small business. Implementing new passwords to secure IT networks is considered a “no-brainer”, but if you use it properly, it can become the easiest way to protect your business. Make sure to enforce multi-factor authentication that requires additional information apart from the single password to access the network.

Changing passwords regularly and remembering them can be a hectic job. You can use password manager tools to keep track of everything for you.

3. Keep Your Softwares Up to Date

Source: Flexsin

One of the biggest data breaches in recent times, Equifax, occurred due to an unpatched software vulnerability. Approximately 143 million Americans were affected by this data breach. It is easy to skip software updates as it can take a few minutes, and we end up getting irritated. Therefore, always make sure to update all your network-related software when a new software update is released.

A software update may take a few minutes, but it is better than a data breach in your business that can lead to heavy losses.

4. Delete Unused Accounts

Source: Security Magazine

An easy way to invite a cyber threat to gain access to your network is to use old credentials that you have created for an account and do not use currently. Old and unused accounts become an easy way to access your network. Therefore, it becomes crucial to delete all unused accounts as soon as possible.

When you are looking for ways to improve your business’s security, deleting your or your employees’ old accounts is a great place to start.

Also Read: 12 Reasons Every Business Should Invest More in Their Employees

5. Train Your Employees

Source: WalkMe Blog

Always remember that humans are often the weakest link in your network security. Therefore, invest in training your employees, create a security plan and then train your employees accordingly.

Make sure that it contains protocols that employees must follow in the case of any security breach. Train them always to maintain and create strong, unique passwords for each account and system, and never disclose these passwords with other employees. Also, constantly learn new business security tips and teach them to your employees. 

Conclusion

So, we have finally discussed the top 5 ways to improve your small business cybersecurity. As we mentioned above, small businesses are an easy target for cybercriminals. Hence, it becomes crucial to follow the above steps to protect your network system. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is cybersecurity?

Ans: Cybersecurity is the method of protecting internet-connected devices and data from cybercriminals. It can be practised by individuals as well as organizations to safeguard their systems, networks, and digital assets.

Q. What careers are there in cybersecurity?

Ans: Following are some of the career options in cybersecurity:

• Security Architect
• IT Security Engineer
• Security Systems Administrator
• Information Security Analyst
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• IT Security Consultant

Q. What is the future of cybersecurity?

Ans: According to NASSCOM, India simply lacks skilled cybersecurity professionals despite having the most prominent IT talent pool in the world. The need for a skilled workforce in this domain is so high that companies are willing to pay a very high salary to top talents. Therefore, the future in this field is bright and secure.