There’s no way to predict a cyberattack, whether it’s caused by a lack of security solutions or a careless employee opening some type of malicious attachment.

In 2014, data breaches hit the headlines on a regular basis, and it’s only going to get worse in the years ahead! Think back: Target, Michaels, Neiman Marcus, and Home Depot – These are all HUGE corporations who’ve likely invested a lot more into cyber security than you.

Don’t Become the Next Victim of Cybercrime. Start Taking Cyber Security Seriously with These 5 Tips for Business!

Ready to start taking cyber security seriously? Here’s the top 5 tips to help you safeguard your technology:

1. Train your employees

First and foremost, establish basic security policies and train your employees to protect sensitive business information and avoid cyber attacks. Make sure they understand how to use the Internet safely, which means:

• Never opening attachments from suspicious emails
• Using strong, different passwords for each account
• Typing URLs into the search bar instead of clicking links

Also, make sure you’ve discussed the importance of cyber security and outlined penalties for breaking basic security policies.

2. Install anti-virus software & firewalls

If you haven’t already done so, install anti-virus software and firewalls on every computer used within your workplace. Also, set the anti-virus software to automatically check for updates at a scheduled time and run scans for malware and viruses as often as possible.

3. Keep all important data backed up

Cybercrime targets businesses of all types and sizes, and the truth is, you’re a target, whether you know it or not. Many types of malware, including ransomware, steal your data – making it inaccessible for employees. If you’ve backed your important data up, you’ll be prepared to recover any necessary files to keep working.

4. Secure corporate AND employee-owned devices

All mobile devices, whether you’re corporate or employee-owed, must be secured with proper security measures in place, which includes the ability to keep personal and business data separate, and various other measures, such as encryption and remote wipe capabilities, in order to minimize risk if a device is lost or stolen.

5. Limit and manage those who have admin privileges

If you’re giving admin privileges to those who don’t truly need them, stop and reconsider. Also, manage those who do need admin privileges – limit access to sensitive information and use strong passwords to avoid user accounts being compromised. It’s also a good idea to log all access activities and monitor on a regular basis, in order to detect any unauthorized access attempts.

Looking for more cyber security tips to keep your business safe? Call us today or drop us an email.