We often read about companies experiencing some form of cyberattack. Most of these attacks could be because of insufficient security equipment or settings. Even small businesses are at high risk of cyberattacks. According to a report in Economic Times, companies in India are at higher risk of cyberattack than any other company.
54% of companies reported a significant increase in the number of cyberattacks during the Covid-19 pandemic. The report also highlights that companies face a significant challenge in managing the protection of data across their network.
Despite the size and industry of the organization, it is likely to carry information that is valuable for cybercriminals and hackers.
With the increasing number of cyberattacks, the question is – ‘’How do you ensure your business is safe and secured from cyberattacks at all times? In this post, we will share our advice on steps you can take to protect your company from cyberattacks.
Ways to protect your company from cyberattacks
Taking your business online has tremendous benefits like – improved security, cloud backup, data transparency and so on. Follow the below steps to help protect your company from cyber threats.
1. Keep the software updated
Make it a practice to update all the software utilized by the company. Old applications and programs may have several loopholes that can be exploited by scammers and hackers to enter your company networks. Devices with outdated software or programs are more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The hackers can make use of security vulnerability and inject scripts into the application. They can also deface the website, steal session cookies, gain control over the data and perform any kind of action they wish to take.
It is recommended to check all the major software updates or new security patches at least twice a month. Make sure to apply all the security patches on all the devices for improved security.
2. Use robust antivirus software
It is important to invest in a comprehensive antivirus program that is designed to handle latest malware, spyware, and ransomware attacks. The Best Antivirus Software for all devices detect and isolate malware while they strike. It is critical to protect your digital assets from spyware, malware, ransomware, and other malicious programs.
With the cyber threats changing at a rapid pace – one should always update the antivirus and run them as soon as available. These new patches and updates are made in response to the latest cyber threats.
Research has shown that most of the cyberattacks are malware infections. Ransomware is one of the most prevalent cybersecurity risks to small businesses, and hence it is crucial to protect your business from all kind of cyberattacks including ransomware.
3. Secure all the wireless networks
Use Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the internet through a private connected network. The VPNs use encryption to create secure connections over unsecured internet infrastructure. The best VPNs can help secure the web traffic against spied, snoops and anyone.
VPNs work by establishing encrypted connections between devices. With the help of encryption keys, users can encode and decode all the information sent to them. However, VPNs may add a small amount of latency to the network connections, which will eventually slow down the network.
Many companies use VPNs to control which users have access to which resources. The company sets up several VPNs – where each VPN is connected to different resources. Users who are assigned to the VPNs can have different levels of access to the data.
Without regulated access control, your company data is at high risk – resulting in data breaches.
4. Ensure multi-factor authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MAF) is a security process that requires the users to provide multiple proofs of identity to access the account. For instance – to attempt to login into the system – you will need a password and an OTP sent on your smartphone before access is granted.
Besides, one should use passphrases instead of passwords to protect access to the devices and networks that hold important business information. Passphrases are multiple words that are easy for humans to remember but difficult for machines to crack.
To avoid cybercriminals from gaining access to your computer network – you should change all the default passwords to paraphrases and disable administrative access entirely. To reduce the risk, you should create a standard user account with strong paraphrase.
5. Disaster recovery plan
A disaster recovery plan is a systemic approach that has the necessary measures on how the organization can resume work after a cyberattack or unplanned incident. It includes detailed steps and precautions to reduce the effects of a cyberattack so that the organization can continue to quickly resume their daily operations.
There are several ways to protect their files, documents, images and even videos. Data stored in the computer is vulnerable to several threats both accidental and malicious. To properly protect the files, you need to invest in the Best Antivirus Software for all devices.
The most common threats to data include – malware, Trojan, bots, hardware failures, etc. any data stored on the device is subject to loss – when taken online. It is up to the user to safeguard the files from being lost.
One can opt for remote online storage systems that enable users to back up a great amount of data for instant access and restoration. It is best to use backup the files locally, back up the files online, keep the firewall running and use comprehensive malware protection to prevent data loss.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your business data requires a strong cybersecurity strategy and plenty of diligence. While you may have done everything to protect your company from cyberattacks – your business data could still be at high risk.
By using the Best Antivirus Software for all devices, you can address the majority of the challenges in the cyber world. It is advised to have a dedicated team of IT security specialists who constantly review the level of security.
Make sure to backup critical data regularly and control access to physical files. If you suspect a malicious activity has occurred, download Norton 360 premium immediately and run a full system scan.