How to Minimize the Risk of a Cyberattack
Never underestimate cybercriminals when running a business. You might not have been the victim of an attack yet, but that doesn’t mean you will not be in the future.
With cybercrime rising at a rapid rate, and with more hackers taking advantage of a lack of security measures, you owe it to your business, staff and customers to protect your systems and data. Find out how to minimize the risk of a cyberattack.
Generate Smart Passwords
The following advice should go without saying, but many companies fail to introduce strong passwords. It is, therefore, essential to introduce a password policy, which details the strength and reuse of passwords. What’s more, you must generate a strong password by using a variation of uppercase, lowercase, symbols and numbers, and use long words or acronyms not associated with the business.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security solution available across most services, such as cloud computing. Instead of simply entering a username and password to log in, users will also have to enter a code that will be sent to their smartphone to confirm their identity and gain access to an account.
Backup Your Files
Cyberattacks happen every day, and there is no reason why your network cannot be a hacker’s next target. Protect your sensitive data by backing up all critical files, so you can gain access to the information if you experience a data breach, such as a ransomware attack. Keep a hard copy of the critical files and store all important data in the cloud. You should also learn more about the best security practices for cloud computing, which can prevent a data breach in the cloud or during transfer. Learn more about AWS security and what you can do to ensure your data is protected.
Don’t Overlook Physical Security
Physical security can be just as important as digital security. You wouldn’t dream of leaving your car keys in the ignition for a thief, so why would you leave your ID badge or financial files on show in the business? It is important to lock away all badges, financial and personnel files, credit cards, and portable devices every day, and encourage your staff to do the same.

Regularly Update Software
Don’t make the mistake of leaving a software update on your to-do list, as they will often feature critical security patches and bug fixes to protect a system. So, never ignore any software update notifications, no matter how annoying they may be, as they can keep the solutions both up-to- date and secure, so a cyberhacker will not find any vulnerabilities in your network.
Be Aware of Phishing Scams
Phishing scams can be a big threat to your business, as they are designed to steal from users via email. A hacker will often use an email or website to transfer malicious software onto a recipient’s computer, and they will often appear to be normal emails to convince hackers to download an attachment, visit a website or send sensitive information. Look for emails that are poorly written and contain spelling errors, and remember most companies would never ask you to send sensitive information via email.
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