Are you a small business owner or manager looking to protect your business, customers, and employees from online threats? If so, then you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore critical cyber security best practices that are tailored specifically for small businesses.
From understanding basic security concepts like malware protection and data encryption to setting up system controls such as single sign-on and least privilege access rights, there are plenty of strategies you can use to keep your data safe.
Stay tuned for practical advice on how small business owners and managers can work smarter—not harder—to apply essential cyber security safeguards in their organizations.
1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication for all of your accounts
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a great way to strengthen the security of your accounts without too much effort. MFA requires users to provide multiple authentication methods when logging into an account. This could be something like requiring a personal identification number (PIN) in addition to a password or token.
By implementing MFA, you can ensure that only authorized users are accessing your company’s information. Additionally, MFA can help you detect and prevent potential cyber attacks on your accounts before they occur.
2. Create Strong Passwords and Change Them Regularly
Strong passwords are essential for protecting your accounts and should be changed regularly. Make sure you create passwords that are at least 8 characters long, and contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can also enforce password expiration policies to ensure that employee accounts don’t remain vulnerable due to weak or outdated passwords.
You should consider using a password management system like LastPass or Dashlane to store your passwords in an encrypted database. This will make it easier for employees to access their accounts while keeping them secure.
3. Utilize a Firewall to Monitor Your Network Traffic
Using a firewall is another great way to keep your network and sensitive data safe. Firewalls can monitor incoming and outgoing traffic, detect malicious activity, and block cyber attacks.
Firewalls can be configured for specific applications or services to provide additional protection for your systems. To get the most out of your firewall, be sure to configure it regularly with the latest security patches, updates, and protocols.
4. Perform Regular Software Updates to Help Mitigate Vulnerabilities
Regular software updates are crucial for keeping your systems secure. Outdated software can contain known security vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit, so it’s essential to make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest security patches and releases.
It’s also important to ensure that all software on your network is licensed and regularly monitored for threats. Unlicensed software could be malicious, so it’s best to avoid using it entirely. You should use an automated system such as GFI LanGuard to detect any unauthorized applications or suspicious activity on your systems.
5. Scan for Malware or Ransomware Regularly
Malware and ransomware can be very difficult to detect, so it’s essential to scan for them regularly. Ensure that you have the latest anti-malware and anti-virus solutions installed and configured on all of your systems.
Endpoint Detect and Response Software, or EDR, can also be used to detect malicious activity like ransomware and malware. EDR solutions can provide additional protection by monitoring the behavior of applications and processes on your network, allowing you to quickly identify any suspicious or malicious activities.
6. Train Employees on Proper Cyber Security Protocols and Awareness
Employees should be regularly trained on proper cyber security protocols and awareness. This includes topics such as identifying suspicious emails, avoiding phishing scams, using strong passwords, understanding the importance of data security compliance, and knowing what to do if a breach occurs.
By educating your employees, you can greatly reduce the chances of a successful attack. Ensure that employees are also instructed on the company’s security policies and procedures in case of an emergency. This will help to minimize disruption and damage should an attack occur.
7. Use Encryption for Data in Transit and at Rest
Data encryption is an important part of any security system. Encrypting data in transit helps ensure that it remains secure while traveling across networks, and encrypting data at rest helps protect it from being accessed if someone were to gain unauthorized access to your systems.
End-to-end encryption is also important for protecting sensitive information that is shared through email or other communication platforms. Encrypting data end-to-end helps ensure that only the intended recipient can view it, even if a malicious third party were to intercept it in transit.
8. Keep Software and Systems Updated
It’s essential to keep all of your software and systems up-to-date to ensure the highest level of security. Be sure to regularly test these updates for compatibility with your existing applications and services. This is especially important when making major changes, such as upgrading to a new operating system or application version.
Ensuring your systems and software are up-to-date can help prevent attackers from exploiting known security vulnerabilities.
9. Set Up Single Sign-On for Easier Access
Single sign-on (SSO) can provide an additional layer of security by allowing users to log in with one set of credentials across multiple systems. This reduces the risk of using multiple passwords and ensures user accounts remain secure. Additionally, SSO can ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information, as it requires authentication each time a system is accessed.
By setting up SSO, it creates one central location for managing user accounts and assigning access privileges. This makes it much easier to monitor who has access to which systems and restrict access as needed. It also helps streamline the login process, making it easier for users to access the necessary systems securely.
10. Implement Least Privilege Access Rights to Limit User Access
Least privilege access rights (LPAR) can be used to limit the number of users who have access to sensitive information. This ensures that only those with the necessary credentials can view or modify data.
LPAR reduces the risk associated with sharing passwords by requiring that each user has their own unique login credentials. By limiting user access with LPAR, organizations can better protect their data and systems from potential cyber threats.
Now What?
Cyber security threats will continue to evolve as hackers and malicious actors become more sophisticated in their attacks. It is important to remain vigilant and stay one step ahead of potential cyber threats through a comprehensive security strategy.
Implementing the various steps identified above, such as multi-factor authentication, creating strong passwords, utilizing a firewall, performing regular software updates, scanning for malware or ransomware, training employees on proper cyber security protocols and awareness, using encryption for sensitive data in transit and at rest, keeping software and systems updated, setting up single sign-on for easy access, and limiting user access with least privilege rights are all important steps to defending your digital assets from malicious actors.
Without implementing these protective measures you leave yourself vulnerable to attack. Staying on top of these will go a long way in helping reduce the chances of success for those looking to exploit potentially vulnerable networks.
Don’t go at it alone!
Partner with a managed service provider to ensure your cyber security strategy is up-to-date and meets the most current industry standards. The right managed service provider can help you develop a comprehensive plan that covers all aspects of protecting yourself from potential threats. They will provide continual monitoring and alerting so you can rest assured knowing you are taking the necessary steps to protect your systems and data.
