How can businesses prevent hackers from attacking their systems?
A business of any size today is vulnerable to a cyber attack. Infact, it is said small and medium businesses are just as likely to face a cyber attack as large businesses. Hence, it is of paramount importance to adopt a cybersecurity strategy by keeping in place a robust strategy and training employees on the importance of cybersecurity. Below are a few ways you can keep attackers at bay and avoid a cyber attack.
1. Robust Internal Controls - Robust internal controls are crucial to prevent cyber attacks on your business. Access controls will help keep business systems updated depending on who leaves or joins the organization. If system access isn’t revoked when former employees, vendors, and contractors leave then they might have access to the system which is a cybersecurity risk. Monitoring access will help ensure maximum security and prevent potential cyberattacks.
2. Encryption - Encryption protects business-sensitive data from being interpreted even if the attacker gains access to a business’ systems. Breaking into high-class encryption is close to impossible for a hacker these days. Encryption is very important in terms of managing sensitive data within a business and also protects data in case of an attack. Also, storing the encryption password or key in a separate file location away from the stored backups makes it even more secure.
3. Creating a backup - Creating backups of business-sensitive data from time to time is very important. This will ensure the business doesn't bow down to the demands of the hackers in case of an attack. A business must also always ensure that the backup is in a retrievable manner and is at its disposal as soon as something goes wrong.
4. Education and training - Employee and staff training are one of the biggest keys to protecting the business from cyber attacks. Cybersecurity training at regular intervals should be conducted and employees must be aware of the latest techniques hackers use to get into internal systems. Employees should also be made aware of phishing attacks and what sort of requests over email and other correspondence methods are normal.
5. Secure and sophisticated hardware and software - A very important part of a cybersecurity strategy should be to protect devices using a password and a multi-factor authentication system. Physical storage devices too should be protected with passwords and strong authentication.
6. Cybersecurity insurance - A wise business today would invest in cybersecurity insurance as attackers get sophisticated with each passing day. Attackers are able to crack even into the most advanced cyber defense systems. A comprehensive cyber insurance policy not just covers the financial losses as a result of the attack but also covers the cost to retrieve the lost data.
7. Proactiveness - Lastly, a business should be proactive when it comes to cybersecurity. It must ensure that there is a robust network security policy and that there are proactive security measures in place to protect systems from external access points. Small business cyber attacks can be easily avoided if the basic cybersecurity measures are in place.
