As someone who has an online business, one of my frequent worries was the security of my business. With all the information online, there was always a constant fear of losing data.
All the paranoia finally led to extensive research on cybersecurity, and I have finally managed to keep my online business as secure as possible. Here are some things that I practice and urge you to do as well as a small/medium business owner, but most importantly, with assistance from expert providers such as managed IT services in Cincinnati, in my case, for my local firm.
Invest in a Secure Internet Service
The first thing that you should do is invest in a secure internet service. A lot of internet services these days come with integrated security systems, which are enough to give you some peace of mind. For my small business, I researched and settled for Xfinity Internet, especially after I read about its xFi Advanced Security system. It has been a game-changer, honestly!
Many leading internet service providers have integrated security systems, which include but are not limited to the following.
- Firewalls: The integration of a firewall stops potentially harmful traffic from making its way to your website. This traffic typically includes cybercriminals.
- Traffic Monitoring: Most Internet Service Providers monitor the ongoing traffic in your network. They can detect unwanted traffic, such as unusual data patterns and sudden traffic surges.
- Intrusion Detection Systems(IDS): Internet Service Providers also use a technology called an IDS system that detects suspicious activity on their network. They alert security personnel, who then take the necessary actions to mitigate the situation.
- Protection Against Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks: A DDoS attack is a cyberattack that targets a server by flooding it with traffic. Not only are servers targeted, but this attack can be initiated on websites and networks. The malicious traffic exhausts resources, deeming the server, website, or network unusable for authorized users. ISPs also filter traffic to prevent DDoS attacks.
Some other security features provided by Internet Service Providers include malware protection, notifying subscribers about potential threats, and educating them on how they can be secure while using the internet.
Train Your Employees
It isn’t only you who has to be vigilant, you must train your employees to do so as well. You can give extensive training, explaining the importance of cybersecurity, the potential threats that exist on the internet, and tips to prevent attacks.
A high proportion of data breaches exists because some employees either intentionally or mistakenly give essential information to cybercriminals. Therefore, you must ensure that your employees are reliable and that they abide by the security guidelines.
Some typical training can include teaching your staff the importance of keeping a strong password, looking for signs of phishing attempts, and a lot more. You should also come up with efficient security policies that your employees must comply with!
Utilize Two-Factor Authentication or Multi-Factor Authentication
As a small business owner, you should implement two-factor authentication to add a layer of security to your network. Whenever someone logs into your network, they will need to go through multiple identification factors. This makes it difficult for unauthorized individuals to infiltrate your network.
Some simple methods of two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication include options such as fingerprint scanning through biometrics. Otherwise, you can set up a system where you can authorize logins once someone attempts to. If it is legitimate, you can give the green signal to proceed with logging in.
Keep All Software and Firmware Updated
Keeping your software and firmware for all your devices ensures that you are as protected as possible, including the operating systems of the computers that you use in your office. Ensure you keep up to date with all updates and patches to install the latest security patches.
Similarly, you should also update your routers’ firmware regularly, so you can maintain smooth functionality. This also adds a layer of protection by removing software bugs in the router and keeps you up to date with all the security patches.
Safely Backup All Your Data
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so a smart idea for you is to safely back up all of your essential data. You may either purchase a cloud storage but that will also put you at risk of an attack. Otherwise, you can also transfer all your data to external SSD storage and then encrypt them.
The SSD allows you to transfer data between devices as quickly as possible; meanwhile, the encryption process acts like a virtual lock that only you can unlock with your encryption key. This way, even if your data falls prey to cyberattacks, such as ransomware, you will still have a backup of your data, even if you lose the original.
Something Extra From the Cookie Jar
As a bonus tip, I advise you to buy good, credible antivirus software. With real-time protection, you can keep your computers and all your data safe from potential attacks. Not only that, but you can continue working with a more peaceful state of mind!
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