New doors of opportunity and investment are opening up with the help of the internet, especially for small businesses. But with every opportunity comes a threat.
Small businesses don’t have enough security in place because of fewer resources and the resources they do have are usually not focused on network security. For this reason, hackers prey on these small enterprises because they are vulnerable targets for cyber attacks.
If you are a small business, you need to secure your data and network, and for that, you need to follow these tips to keep hackers at bay.
Train Your Employees
Unlike computers, humans are easy to manipulate and that is where human error comes in. According to Verizon’s 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), humans were the reason behind 21% of data breaches. Education of employees regarding network security can greatly reduce the risk of cyber attacks and help protect against phishing and other targeted attacks. Educating employees about policies and guidelines regarding network security should be a priority for every business, large or small.
Protect Your Business Website
The best way to gain credibility with customers is by protecting your business website. The installation of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) can help you secure your website and show customers that their data will be safe with you. If you have an SSL certificate, you will be able to see a green padlock next to the URL. It will make your website more authentic and customer-friendly as SSL secures both your and your customer’s data and provides credibility.
VPN Setup
Setting up a VPN helps to secure data as it provides you with data encryption that hides your sensitive information. If you are using a VPN, it will make it all the more hard for hackers to identify your IP address and target you in a scam.
Secure Your WiFi
WiFi acts as a doorway to your data. Securing your internet connection should be your number one priority. A strong password and securing your network can go a long way in protecting you against cyber attacks.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Human error is greatly reduced by using multi-factor authentication. This process requires you to provide information that only you can have access to – as evidence of your identity. Hackers will have a hard time accessing your data if you have a strong password with multi-factor authentication.
Update Your Software Tools
As new technology makes its appearance, new updates are introduced to keep up with the advancements. An outdated system can impact your data and security as hackers find ways to hack your behind-the-times system. Make sure to use updated tools and implement patches to beef up your system against criminal activity.
Secure Your Payment Gateways
Secure your payment gateways with proper encryptions. To stay safe from hackers, you need to follow the requirements set by authoritative bodies like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
Back Up Your Data
Network security is crucial for any business but so is your backup data. You need to back up your vital data and information so that you’re not lost at sea in case of any unexpected circumstances.