Technology is a crucial part of running our Lehigh Valley businesses successfully, but our reliance on it come with certain risks, like the possibility of cyber-attacks. No matter the size, location, or nature of your business, you should take preventative measures to protect it from security breaches that can cost a business its reputation, not to mention major financial losses. Here are 5 ways you can do this.
-
Educate your staff on how to prevent cyber attacks
Enforcing a “no personal device” policy in your workplace might not be successful in the long term, since your employees might find it inconvenient. To avoid this from happening, set up a training session to teach your staff on how using their personal devices can increase the company’s risk of cyber-attacks. Be sure to include information about what unsecured networks are, where they are typically found, and how to ensure the network you’re using is secure. It’s also advisable to discourage practices such as password sharing for extra protection.
Secondly, unsecured websites give hackers immediate access to private data, so it’s important to emphasize to your staff that they should not be visiting these websites when using work devices.
-
Secure all hardware
Using an advanced cyber security software is definitely the first step to protecting your company’s data, however, you should also take extra steps to ensure sensitive information is not leaked. Always protect your work devices with complex passwords which would be difficult for cyber criminals to guess; only share passwords with the device user and discourage them from writing passwords down.
All computers should be wired to desks so in the event of a robbery, they cannot be removed from your workplace. If some of your equipment is stolen, installing a “find my device” software on phones, tablets, and computers can make it easier to locate them.
-
All data should be encrypted
Cyber criminals cannot access sensitive data such as customer information and credit card numbers if they are encrypted. This is not a complicated process since full-disk encryption software is included in every operating system on the market.
-
Don’t forget to back it up as well
Backing up data and storing it separately are important steps in keeping your data safe. Hackers sometimes ask for ransom before returning stolen data, so by having it backed up, you will save money and hassle if a security breach occurs. Your employees are likely diligent about backing up their personal data on their devices but might not be aware they should do the same at work.
-
Look into purchasing cyber security insurance
Even by taking the most extensive preventative measures, hackers might still gain access to your data. In fact, a 2017 study showed that the global average cost of a single data breach was $3.6M. By investing in cyber security insurance in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, you can save on out-of-pocket costs and potential legal fees. Just getting a quote for cyber coverage can be helpful. To get a quote you will need to complete a brief application that asks questions about your current level of cyber security that you can review with your IT consultant to be sure you are taking proper precautions.
For more information on how to protect your business against cyber-attacks, contact Smyrl Insurance today!
