Protecting your small business is important to you. After all, it's not easy (or cheap) to build a company from scratch. That's why it would be devastating to see it all go up in smoke due to the actions of a faceless hacker. In fact, 60 percent of businesses closed within six months of a cybersecurity breach! Don't let this happen to you.
In the case of a breach, defend your most valuable assets with a cyber insurance policy. Of course, we hope that it never comes to this point, so here are a few tips to protect your small business.
#1 Identify At−Risk Data
The first thing any businessperson should do when building a cyber policy is to identify what parts of their network are most at risk. Think like a hacker to understand what'tvaluable and what't attainable. Remember that hackers will almost always exploit the easiest access point. Outsmart them by closing the common loopholes below.
#2 Educate Your Employees
We've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that 80 percent of data breaches are caused by employee negligence. The good news is that a well−educated staff can greatly reduce the chance of a data breach. Regularly updating your employees about best practices is an excellent way to boost your cybersecurity.
#3 Use Strong Passwords
This tip is often repeated but rarely heeded. Use stronger passwords! And avoid reusing passwords for multiple accounts. Hackers who gain access to one account will often recycle those login credentials elsewhere online, exposing every account or service they can.
#4 Password Protect Your Computer & Mobile Devices
Leaving your laptop unlocked or your cell phone at the coffee shop is enough for your personal information to fall into the wrong hands. Use a password or PIN to protect your devices.
#5 Avoid Sketchy Emails, Links & Downloads
Phishing scams, malware and Trojan horse programs have been around for decades. Why? Because they still work. Avoid opening in−email links, attachments or downloading free software online from sources you don−t know well. Crafty hackers make fraudulent sign−in pages or downloads look like the real thing. So be careful, and when in doubt, ask IT before clicking.
#6 Keep Your Software Up to Date
You may not realize it, but ignoring update prompts from your software is putting your organization at risk. Developers regularly patch software security with each update. Cyber crooks seek out these vulnerabilities, knowing that many users have chosen not to defend themselves. Enable automatic updates to thwart their efforts.
#7 Be Wary of Free Wi−Fi
Free Wi−Fi is very convenient, but not very secure. Digital eavesdroppers are known to steal data over these networks or even to set up phony Wi−Fi to ensnare from unsuspecting users.
#8 Manage Mobile Devices
Mobile devices have changed the way we work, but many companies have not adopted cybersecurity protocols to match. When sending or receiving sensitive personal, financial or business information, be sure to use encrypted messaging services. Download approved device locator or remote wipe applications in case your device is lost or stolen.
#9 Secure Your Networks
Whether your employees work from home or in office, ensure that they are using firewall protections. This is your first defense against intruding or illegitimate traffic.
#10 Create a Backup & Recovery Plan
Saving or backing up your data will reduce your company's downtime in case you are struck by a cyberattack. Work with your IT provider to develop a recovery plan.
#11 Invest in a Cyber Insurance Policy
Of course, no digital security plan is impregnable. Luckily cyber insurance policies are designed to defend businesses against the worst effects of a data breach including data loss, extortion and business interruption.
Receive your free cyber insurance policy quote from CyberPolicy today!
