The Dos And Don’ts Of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is an essential element in today’s world. Whether you’re a regular office worker or a business owner, you must protect your crucial data from would-be hackers and thieves. Unfortunately, many scams work because people don’t know how to secure their private information. 

However, improving your cybersecurity is easier than it sounds. You only need to remember what you must and mustn’t do to keep your personal or business information safe. Here are the things to remember:

Dos

  • Look For Professional IT Solutions

If you own a small business, you may not yet have the resources for a large IT team. Having one person do the job may be enough, but managing several accounts, passwords, and data can be challenging as your business grows. You may need to increase your IT staff or outsource. You can find an example of a highly-regarded team that can provide military-grade cybersecurity on sites like https://www.redpointcyber.com/

An IT solutions expert can be a boon for retail startup companies. To build your reputation, you must fulfill all orders and maintain the privacy of your customers’ details, like their credit card numbers. 

With proper cybersecurity measures in place, you could avoid losing order details or the ability to send out invoices. However, you can streamline and secure the electronic data interchange with the help of professional IT teams as you’ll see on sites like https://kissingerassoc.com/kissinger-solutions-sage-100/ecommerce-edi/edi-integration/.

  • Improve Passwords And Login Methods

It’s a given for many tech-savvy people to use passwords that aren’t as simple as ‘password123’ or one’s birthday. Hackers can easily log into those kinds of accounts, and they can compromise all the valuable data in them. Thus, using complicated passwords, including extra symbols or numbers, is a more apt way to protect your information. 

Aside from having a hard-to-guess password, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) also comes in handy. When 2FA is enabled, you can’t log in right away. After you’ve inputted your login details, the program or website will send a one-time password (OTP) or verification code to your email or phone number connected to that account. You must input the OTP or code provided to access your account. 

Additionally, use different passwords for different accounts. So, if one account gets compromised, the others you handle are less likely to suffer the same. Remember to change your passwords every so often too. Or change them immediately after receiving a notification of a possible breach.

  • Educate Your Team On Cybersecurity

As a business owner, you’re responsible for keeping your team in the loop, especially regarding cybersecurity. Have regular meetings or training on the topic so that everyone can correctly protect the company’s sensitive information.  

Cybersecurity training is a wise investment for any business. You’ll save time and money by preventing data breaches, retaining your clients’ trust as a result. In addition, you empower your team to become more knowledgeable and confident in spotting potential online threats.

  • Create Data Backups

Even if you have a stable cybersecurity system, you must make backups. One of the safest ways to back up your data is to store it in cloud servers. Compared with external hard drives (EHD) or flash drives, the cloud can automatically create data backups while simultaneously protecting them. Data is also less likely to get lost, unlike when saved in a physical device. 

There are many cloud service providers available, depending on your budget. Once you have one for your business, coordinate with your IT team to secure your data during cloud migration.

Don’ts

  • Expose Sensitive Information

One of the first and easiest things you and your team can do to secure sensitive data is to keep it private. Hackers can pose as employees or business partners requesting confidential data, which can compromise your company. Hence, an extensive training seminar on cybersecurity is often needed. 

Fortunately, data stored correctly in a cloud server managed by a trusted IT team usually can’t be opened immediately. So, even if one of you accidentally shares something, the encryption protects the data from unauthorized access. However, no matter how safe your information is, it’s best to keep it within the company.

  • Plug In Any USB Drive To A Computer

When someone gives you a flash drive or EHD, it’s wise to keep it away from any computer. These devices may contain malware. Once connected to your PC, the virus can infect the system in seconds. There are some methods to check the contents of a portable drive safely. But it takes time and effort, and you may still risk the security of your device. 

The better idea would be to request that the files be sent via email or shared through the cloud. The server and your PC’s anti-malware program could detect software in emails or files before you even open them.

  • Install Unauthorized Programs

In the same vein as the point above, avoid installing sketchy apps. When you download new programs, you’ll often get them in .exe files. Before you open the files, run them through your PC’s antivirus software. If it detects malware, delete them immediately. 

Downloading phone apps you might need may be trickier. Phones don’t always have antivirus software, so you’ll have to download one first. Without one, you’ll only discover if the new app is a virus if your phone starts acting abnormally.  

Before downloading a new app, read the reviews first. You’ll avoid compromising your phone and potentially giving away personal information. Most users are honest about their experience, such as with this malicious app that’s still available on Google Play.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity isn’t rocket science. It’s relatively easy to learn and teach your team. But if you prefer better protection, partnering with an IT team can improve that. The team can show you the basics until you can independently protect your company’s information. Ultimately, it all boils down to knowing what to do and not to do.