For over the past few decades, technology has been influencing every bit of the modern-day business atmosphere. Through automation, mobile applications, and even virtual reality, these are only a few of the many ways that tech has altered how we conduct business in various industries.
But with technology overtaking many business transactions, a particular security concern came with the rise of technological advancement – cyber attacks.
These attacks have the capacity to render many, if not all, business undertakings with just a handful of sensitive data. A lot of people in your organizational framework may not always be well-equipped to handle these attacks and may require additional employee phishing prevention training, education, and similar endeavors.
Sensitive data and information can easily be hacked without a proper plan and line of defense. From simple loose ends like a stolen laptop containing employee information to malicious software infecting company computer systems, the cost of any of these cyber attacks happening to your business can turn into millions of dollars in losses.
The prospect of this happening is not all too far-fetched. So what’s keeping you from ensuring this does not happen to your business any time soon?
How to Practice Good Data Security Habits
The following tips will help your employees become more vigilant in handling cybersecurity attacks:
1. Update operating systems regularly
Operating Systems (OS) act as the central command for devices such as smartphones, laptops and desktop computers. Updating your OS is crucial as it helps in fixing various bug problems and security holes present in any current version. For some devices, an OS update may also include new features that’ll help in your devices’ performance. Attackers taking advantage of security codes in your OS can be dealt with by your employees once they know how to take control of it. This way, your business’ valuable information are safe.
2. Secure Passwords
The best way to keep attackers from accessing your online business system is to create strong passwords. The passwords being used must contain information that isn’t directly related or obvious while still being easy to remember and recognize. By being able to create strong passwords, cyber attacks infiltrating computer systems can easily be blocked.
3. Do not write passwords and other sensitive information on notes
A simple gesture that can result in catastrophic consequences is having secure passwords littering around office buildings and workstations. Personal passwords must be kept by individuals and only be shared when completely necessary to the business, and even then, it may not even be ideal. Instead, passwords and other sensitive information must be stored in a location that is sufficiently difficult to by-pass by hackers.
4. Practice data backup just in case
Any moment, you could lose important information in your laptop or online system. That’s a worst case scenario. But you can prevent losing all your sensitive data by simply backing them up on your computer. You can use the cloud-based or physical drive for secure backups.
Ransomware attacks are very common in companies these days and regular backups will save you a lot of money and time when your data is encrypted due to a ransomware attack. But there is a saying “Prevention is better than cure“, right? then why should you struggle to cure when you can prevent such attacks with an antivirus. You should teach your employees to keep their antivirus software’s up to date and they should immediately contact the system admin in case of any issues in antivirus functioning.
5. Perform training exercises and engage in continuing Ed
The ultimate type of training used today by companies is the so-called live fire training. It’s where employees are trained by undergoing simulated attacks that are likely to happen in their jobs. Some scenarios during this training is becoming a victim of cyber attacks. The employees will be asked what they have learned from the simulation and share their experience with co-workers.
So long as your business thrives, there will be various attempts at stealing and profiteering being done by third-party attackers.
At the end of the day, the many vulnerabilities surrounding your business can be greatly enhanced and secured with the proper conduct of your systems and employee training. While technology continues to evolve and improve, there’s no reason for your business to not keep up with the times. If necessary hire the appropriate personnel or consider tuition reimbursement for employees interested in going back to school (on a part-time basis) to pursue a cybersecurity degree
There are countless possibilities and opportunities that your business can undertake, and setting it up for a secure future will prove an effective and worthwhile investment.
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