These days, more than ever before, it’s easier for businesses to fall prey to hacking and data breaches. This is largely due to the fact that everything is done and stored online and thieves have become more sophisticated thanks to ever-evolving technology.
No doubt, if you own your own business, you already have measures in place to protect it against cyber threats.
However, are you sure you are truly safe? There are a few ways to determine the answer to this question.
Cybersecurity Plan
First and foremost, all businesses should have a cybersecurity plan in place in the event of a cyber attack. At the minimum, your plan should include a list of best practices and security protocols.
Specifically, it should mention things like passwords two-factor authorization, threat response software like antivirus and anti-malware programs that are recommended, network monitoring services, firewalls, a list of websites and apps that are not to be used and a policy on updating software regularly.
The cybersecurity plan should be straight to the point and easy to implement in the event of an emergency.
Business Data Policy
All businesses should have a business data policy in place as well. This is a detailed description of how you will fight against a potential cyber attack and outlines your cyber security plans.
Your business data policy should be all-inclusive and should have a good combination of financial and customer or client data, employee records and intellectual property, among others.
The most sensitive of the data should receive the highest caliber of protection in the event of a would-be breach. It’s important to classify all data in a specific manner and take an inventory of it to identify each type.
Privacy Policy
A good privacy policy should also be in place to ensure that all data is kept safe and secure. Your privacy policy should outline everything your business does regarding all the data it collects. This is essentially a promise to customers or clients about how their information is used and protected.
The privacy policy should address any personally identifiable information like names and Social Security numbers, customer or client information like email addresses and credit or debit card numbers, phone numbers and personal health information.
Train Your Staff
Your staff should be fully trained on the best ways to react in the event of a cyber attack, as well as how best to prevent one from happening in the first place. All businesses should implement a proactive, preventative program on security awareness.
This can help them to better recognize a potential data breach and how to prevent it. This is something that should be done every so often and not just as a onetime thing so that you can ensure that your employees are on top of all the latest cyber threats.
Data Encryption
Data encryption is absolutely essential when you run a business. It keeps your data secure and safe from prying eyes. Preventing access to sensitive data can help to prevent a potential data breach, especially if it should end up in the wrong hands.
Encryption software is available for all operating systems and can keep information secure whether the system is running or at rest. Likewise, all of your business’ data should be backed up on a regular basis. Backing up and storing data separately can protect against a potential hacking or data breach.
These are some of the best practices for keeping your business safe from cyber threats. Dedication is the key, and you should keep all your staff apprised of these practices.
