Digital security is on everyone’s mind nowadays – it can feel like every day, we’re being told about a new cyber threat by the news media. This is a threat that no responsible business can afford to take lightly; you should be doing all in your power to keep the digital side of your business as secure as the physical side of things.
This can be a complex task; as we improve our cyber security, so too do cyber criminals improve their methods for infiltrating systems. You’ll need to use all of the tools at your disposal to help keep your business safe from cyber criminals, and bring in outside help if you feel you need it. You should also keep your ear to the ground to learn about new developments and tools to try out that will keep your business safe from nefarious actors.
Password Policy
Your company password policy can be one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal against cyber criminals. Often, small-time cyber criminals use basic tactics to enter a system: guessing a password. You might be alarmed to find out how many people still use ‘password’ or ‘12345678’ as their passwords. You must ensure this doesn’t happen in your business – it’s as risky as leaving the physical doors of your premises wide open overnight.
You should put in place a robust password policy, that requires letters, numbers, capitals and special characters. It’s also best to change passwords regularly – at least every quarter or more frequently if your business could be an attractive target to criminals.
Digital Backups
Backing up your data can help to protect your data should you fall victim to a cyber criminal. This means that if your servers are compromised or wiped by bad actors, you will not lose your company’s data altogether. How often you back up, and where you back up to, will depend on the type of data you’re storing and the value it holds. You might consider doing monthly, weekly or even daily back-ups if the data you’re backing up is of particular value or importance to the working of your business. You might also consider backing up your data to servers that can be taken offline should a cyber attack occur, thus eliminating the possibility hackers can access them.
Fuzzing
Fuzzing is an excellent way to test the limits of your cyber security. This involves using AI to test your system for unknown vulnerabilities – taking a proactive approach to ensure that your systems are secure. This can be so valuable for businesses because it ensures that, as well as checking known threats, you also scan your business software for unknown vulnerabilities. You can find out more about fuzz testing and other vulnerability software testing from the experts over at ForAllSecure.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an excellent way to ensure that only authorized people can access your systems. This involves using an extra layer of security whenever an attempt is made to access your system – whether using biometrics, facial scanning technology, or a one-time password sent to an email account or cell phone. Though these are not foolproof ways to secure your data, they can still be significantly safer than password-only protections.
Physical Security Features
As mentioned above, poor cyber security can be just as risky as poor physical security. In some ways, physical and cyber security go hand in hand – keeping criminals from accessing your physical servers, computers, or other digital systems is vital. Many burglars in commercial properties aren’t just interested in valuable equipment or inventory; they are keen to access data from the company as well.
It is crucial that you keep your premises locked down tight, particularly at times that there aren’t many people around. Alarm systems, quality doors and windows, and CCTV can all be excellent deterrents for criminals attempting to infiltrate your physical premises.
Accessibility
The more people with access to your digital systems, the more risk there is that criminals could gain access themselves. Naturally, you will thoroughly vet your employees before you hire them, but it is still best not to allow access to areas of your system to employees that don’t need them. This is particularly crucial for any areas holding sensitive information such as customer names, addresses or bank details.
Final Thoughts
Protecting yourself and your customers from cyber criminals is crucial for all businesses, no matter how large or small. Cyber threats are getting more sophisticated each day, so you’ll need to be just as dynamic as the criminals you’re protecting your customers from. It takes more than just one tool or policy to keep your business secure, so you should keep an open mind and consider every new innovation. You could also consider getting the advice from a professional cyber risk consultant who can analyze your processes and inform you of changes that could be made.
