Studies have shown that small business owners tend to assume that security breaches won’t impact their businesses, simply due to size. However, that is not the case – any business of any size is at risk of being targeted by hackers or other security problems. A recent study found that just under half of all businesses had been victims of cybersecurity attacks at one point or another.
This highlights the fact that no business – regardless of size – is exempt from being targeted, and that it’s important to be aware of this. The good news is that it’s fairly simple for businesses to reduce the risk of being targeted; it’s just a case of knowing what precautions to put in place.
To better understand what steps can be taken to mitigate risk, take note of the advice below.
Understand how to keep your platforms safe
Does your business use a specially designed platform that can be accessed from a number of locations? A large number of businesses use these types of platforms, as they make working from various locations far simpler and easier, as everything is easily accessible via the company’s cloud-based system. However, these types of virtual platforms are at risk of security breaches if not properly secured. However, many businesses choose to utilize IAM solutions to help make this task an easier one to effectively manage, which can help to mitigate the associated risk. By taking steps to reduce the risk of your business being successfully targeted by hackers, you can reduce the stress associated with this kind of attack.
Install and keep anti-virus software up to date
Anti-virus software is only effective when it is installed on every system and is kept up to date. When this security software is not updated as and when updates are sent out, the effectiveness is decreased. Usually, updates include bug fixes and other vital tweaks, allowing the software to work more effectively, which is why installing them is important. It’s vital to make sure that every team member accessing your business’s platform is doing so from a device with effective security in place. Otherwise, you open your platform up to cyber-attacks and put your secure data at risk.
Use strong passwords and teach your team to do the same
Your security system is only as strong as your weakest link. That’s why it’s so essential that you are clear regarding the need for strong and secure passwords. It is vital that each team member undertakes adequate password training, where they learn what constitutes a strong password and which password types are easy to hack. If each team member understands the need for strong passwords, your business will be far more secure.
By implementing the above best-practice strategies for business security and opting for managed IT services, you can help to reduce the risk of your company falling foul to a cyber attack. The issue with cyberattacks is not only that any sensitive data you store can be stolen, including the data of your customers, but also the fact that your business may be unable to run after a cyber attack if your platform is compromised.
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