Technology

Cybersecurity 101: Top Things Small Businesses Need To Know!

Contrary to what many entrepreneurs and managers believe, cybersecurity matters for small businesses, probably as much or more than large companies. In fact, no company is immune to hackers, and it is absolutely critical for small businesses to take a proactive stance, to protect against cyber attacks. In this post, we are discussing some of the basic aspects about cybersecurity that are worth knowing.

Why are small businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks?

Hackers are always interested in exploiting vulnerabilities with the IT framework. Small businesses don’t spend as much on cybersecurity, and yet, they are constantly collecting data and storing sensitive information, both on on-premise solutions and cloud. Hackers are also aware of the fact that breaches caused to smaller brands don’t have as many consequences. In other words, these companies will not chase them like the big MNCs.

Outsourcing is the way to go

If your company doesn’t have the resources to spend on an in-house team of security and IT network experts, outsourcing is the best way out. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) can work as consultants for your business, offering the best solutions, suggesting best practices, and they will test IT networks and environments to find security vulnerabilities. It is more like having an extended arm for your company, but without investing as much money or time.

Practice the best cybersecurity in-house

There are certain standard cybersecurity practices, which every business, regardless of size, niche, and other factors, must follow –

  • Train your employees on cybersecurity, safe browsing practices.
  • Encourage creating strong password and using password management tool.
  • Identify the common cybersecurity concerns and take preventive steps.
  • Update all firmware and software programs to the latest versions.
  • Use a firewall, and protect every device and system with antivirus & antimalware.
  • Test systems regularly. Ensure that network assets are checked for vulnerabilities.
  • Define BYOD practices.
  • If your employees are working from home, define network usage protocols

Finally, keep an eye on how the cybersecurity practices are shaping up. Every year, new threats are being discovered, and businesses need to update their cybersecurity measures to keep up. If you are hiring an outsourced IT service, don’t shy away from asking the tough questions and ensure that they have a defined system for access management. One of the best cybersecurity practices is to ensure that only right people have access to right resources, at a given point of time.

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