As we have come to learn, cybersecurity is as important to corporate giants like AT&T as it is to the blossoming small business. Cyber attacks have unfortunately grown in recent years, and it doesn't look like they're going to peter out any time soon. Americans spent over $800 million in 2014 to cover damages caused by cyber attacks. Cybercriminals view hacking as a lucrative field, and it doesn't look like they're going to slow down any time soon.
With more businesses losing sensitive data every year, a cyber liability insurance plan is necessary to protect your business from hackers, malware and employee negligence.
To help increase your cybersecurity, follow some of CyberPolicy's helpful tips below.
Only You Can Prevent Cyber Attacks
With our tablets and smart devices requiring Touch ID (our thumb print to open the display), we breathe a little easier. If we forgot to logout of something, who cares? No one else can get into our device. Because of our reliance on Touch ID, we think that we're the only people who have access to our devices.
Our smart devices have been designed to recognize more than one thumbprint. This means as many as five people can unlock a device. What if one of your employee's decides to disable the Touch ID, that way anyone can get on the device without the required thumbprint or access code? Relying on this new technology to provide security is not the best plan of action to take when trying to protect your small business's data and the confidentiality of your clients.
Forbes Magazine reports that in 2013, hackers were able to lift fingerprints from their unsuspecting victims and gain total access to their data and private systems. So much for the secure tech system. But the biggest cause of a cybersecurity data breach is negligence. Whether we forgot to logout of the server or clicked on a spammy link, our own computer practices can put our business in jeopardy.
Establish a Company-Wide Policy
For all of the information out there, some people will still download that questionable app or agree to send $1,000 to the prince of some far away country to help him fight against animal cruelty. When they've clicked on or downloaded these links on your secure server, your server is no longer secure; it has been breached. As a rule, Business 2 Community suggests that business owners set up a no-click policy. Inform your employees of the latest scams and to not open any email from a sender they do not recognize or has not been pre-approved.
Get Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyber liability insurance will cover you in the event that your business suffers a data breach. A data breach can easily cost thousands of dollars. An insurance plan can help lessen the financial blow and get your business back on track. If an employee's computer should be infected with malware or a cybercriminal shuts down any access to your server, a cyber liability policy will help you reclaim your holdings and protect you from another cyber invasion.
Strength in Numbers
Passwords can be frustrating to have to remember, but the longer and more complicated the password, the more difficult it will be for a hacker to infiltrate your computer system. The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) advises not to use passwords that are too short or contain any personal information. If a hacker knows your birthdate or other confidential information, they'll use it to crack your password. US-CERT suggests that your password contain a phrase, but make sure it's not your favorite quotation or a popularly used expression.
Though you don't mean to be negligent, your computer habits can put you and your businesses at risk. Cyber liability insurance will help to protect your investments and your clients. Looking for a new cyber policy? Visit CyberPolicy.com today.
