Unlike a common belief, small businesses are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than big businesses. This is because as compared to big well-established companies, small businesses are generally under-protected.

The digital revolution has undoubtedly made our life easier with technologies such as electronic entry and access controls and has enabled businesses of all sizes to reach new and larger markets. However, if not used cautiously, it also poses serious dangers for both businesses and consumers.

Nowadays, businesses are more at the risk of theft of digital information than physical thefts. From malware to phishing scams, cybersecurity breaches and ransomware attacks can bring severe repercussions for any business.  For this reason, having a cybersecurity plan has become imperative for every business that uses the internet to ensure their safety and consumers’ confidence. Below we have compiled five tips to keep your data and business safe from cyber attacks.

1.    Password Protection

A strong password is vital to protect computer networks. Always ask your employees to create strong passwords, comprising of at least 10 characters and including numbers, symbols, and upper and lowercase letters. The password should be changed from time to time and must not be shared, even with coworkers. For better security, implement policies and stringent standards.

2.    Protect and manage devices

Data is often lost when employees leave their device unlocked DNS Filter. To prevent this, ask your employees to always lock their devices when left unattended. Apart from this, it is necessary to create a separate user account for each employee.

In case of small businesses where workers use their own devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones, it is crucial to implement policies that allow your network administrator to install monitoring software, push automatic security updates, and call for regular password changes. Moreover, employees must be warned against using unprotected flash drives and external hard drives. The Data Protection Officer Singapore is responsible for ensuring that the company is compliant with the Personal Data Protection Act in terms of data protection.

3.    Install the latest antivirus and antimalware protection

Outdated system and apps are more vulnerable to hacks. For this reason, ask your employees to regularly install software updates so that all devices used in your business have the latest versions of software and operating system installed. It is essential to use professional grade antivirus and antimalware software to protect your precious data. In addition to this, provide firewall security for your Internet connection to prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. This will also prevent your employees from accidentally visiting malicious websites.

4.    Secure your Wi-Fi networks

The Wi-Fi network of your business must be secure, encrypted, and hidden. Ask your employees not to share the password with others and it is better to hide your Wi-Fi network so that it does not broadcast the network name. In case your business needs to provide network connectivity to guests, vendors, or contractors, make sure to set up a separate “guest” Wi-Fi network so that your employees and outsiders are not using the same network.

5.    Keep a back up of data

Despite taking all the precautionary measures, it is equally important to regularly backup your data. A cyber-attack causes loss of your precious business data in addition to financial and personal records theft. Therefore, keep a second copy of all the critical data, such as word documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts files, stored either offsite or in the cloud.

Cybercrimes have become so rampant these days that it is necessary for every business to take appropriate security measures in advance before anything unfortunate happens. It is highly recommended to hire a professional security and IT specialists to audit and protect your business from cybercriminals. They will be able to implement cutting-edge techniques to keep your system safe from cyberattacks. Penetration testing, red team assessment, continuous attack emulation, and other techniques fall into this category. In addition to this, train your employees on how to use company resources and impose penalties for failing to follow security protocols.

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