It's that time of year again when everybody is thinking about New Year's resolutions. Some of the most popular personal goals include hitting the gym more often or improving one's finances. But what about small businesses? Should they make any resolutions of their own?
If we've learned anything from 2017, it's that our digital defenses need rethinking. There has been a noticeable rise in data breaches, ransomware attacks, phishing scams, social engineering, and state-sponsored hacking. If you want your small business to survive another year, it's time to make some changes.
Below are a few examples of easy-to-apply cybersecurity resolutions for the New Year.
Are you ready for 2018?
Invest in Cyber Liability Insurance
If cybersecurity is going to be a top concern for your company, you'll need to invest in cyber liability insurance ASAP. Think of it as a financial safety net. If your organization is hit by a data breach or an especially vicious cyberattack, you won't have to face it alone. You can lean on your insurance provider to help you get through the tough times.
Research shows cyber attacks are inevitable. Therefore, how you deal with them is what matters. Invest in cyber liability insurance before it's too late!
Enforce Cybersecurity Awareness Training for All Employees
This next resolution is very simple. Yet many companies fail to take it seriously. Whether you want to believe it or not, employees are the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain. That's because, without the proper training, workers can fall for all sorts of online scams. It is up to you, the business leader, to provide guidance.
The key is to make cybersecurity a part of your company culture. Try hosting regular training sessions every quarter; and be sure to answer security questions as they arise.
Implement Behavioral Changes
Another suggestion is to lead by example. If you want your staff to follow the rules and avoid digital disasters, you'll need to do the same. Be sure to:
These are smart practices for everyone in your company.
Do your part to spread the word.
Hire (or Appoint) a Security Team
Quick, who is in charge of your cybersecurity efforts? \"I don't know\" is not an acceptable answer. If you want to prioritize your digital defenses in 2018, you'll need to determine who oversees this crucial endeavor.
Fortunately, this can take many forms. You could hire an IT team to continuously monitor your network for questionable activity. Or you could hire an agency to come into the office once a quarter to inspect your network and provide recommendations.
There are just two examples, of course. What you decide really depends on your organization's needs and budget. The primary takeaway, however, is someone is focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel.
Visit CyberPolicy for more tips on staying cyber safe; or for a free cyber liability insurance quote for your business!
