6 Tips to Help Small Businesses Stay Secure

Cybercrime happens everywhere. Whether you’re an enterprise corporation or a small business, you’re always a target.

With that said, hackers know that many SMBs don’t prioritize cybersecurity and lack knowledge and/or expertise to implement an effective cybersecurity plan. According to a 2021 Verizon report, 46% of cyberattacks impacted organizations with less than 1,000 employees.

Here are 7 tips your SMB can use to ensure added security for your organization.

Install Anti-Virus Software

Install Anti-Virus software on every device in the organization. Attackers look for weak points where they can gain entry and install malicious software. Anti-Virus software can provide protection against malicious threat actors.

Monitor your Perimeter

Hackers never stop monitoring the internet for weaknesses they can take advantage of. Weak points in your perimeter can be just the opening threat actors need to infiltrate your network and wreak havoc. But if attackers can scan for vulnerabilities, you can too. 

Scan for vulnerabilities in your network so that you can fix them, before an attacker can exploit them.

Minimize your Attack Surface

An Attack Surface is all of the systems and services you expose to the internet. The larger your attack surface, the larger your risk. Examples of this would include Microsoft Exchange for email, or Wordpress for content. These services are risks due to credential stuffing or brute-force attacks.

By enforcing two-factor authentication, removing public access to services, and implementing a VPN, you can minimize your attack surface and stay better protected.

Constantly Update Software

Vulnerabilities are discovered daily in all forms. From software, to web browsers, to applications – users are always at risk. Ensure all of your software and systems are set up to receive automatic updates to patches so that vulnerabilities can be fixed instantly.

Back Up your Data

Ransomware is everywhere. Nobody is safe from a ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks encrypt your data, making it impossible for you to access it again unless you meet the attackers monetary ransom demands.

By regularly backing up your data, you protect yourself from these types of attacks. If all of your data is backed up, there would not be a need for you to pay a ransom to get it back.

Educate your Staff

Another weakness cybercriminal prey on is human error. Phishing emails, or fraudulent emails that trick users into putting your organization in some sort of risk, are extremely common. If your staff is educated on how to spot phishing scams and how to defend against them, it will ensure that they become a strength rather than a vulnerability.

One of the most dangerous things any SMB can do is underestimate their cybersecurity risk. Just because you may not be a large enterprise corporation doesn’t mean you’re any less at risk. Following these steps can get you started on a path toward a more secure organization.

Story via The Hacker News