6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity
Whether you’re a large conglomerate or a small business working out of a garage, in order to be successful and safe, your company needs the proper cybersecurity foundation.
Having the right cybersecurity measures may seem like a difficult task to face, especially if you are just starting your business. However, putting the basics in place will set you up for success regardless of your IT know-how.
Here are some easy but effective steps you can take to ensure your business’ cybersecurity is in tip top shape.
1. Have a dynamic game plan
If you want to be successful in any venture, having the right game plan and strategy will set you up for success. It gives you goals and a road map to follow, as well as setting up alternatives for when something inevitably goes wrong along the way. A solid strategy accounts for hiccups and mistakes while being optimized for victory.
The same goes for your cybersecurity. A proper and flexible template will help keep your business secure while also allowing for adjustment along the way since things will change as you and your business grow.
Think of this as a preventative approach to cybersecurity rather than the traditional reactive approach. For a long time, companies have only been aware of an attack after it happens, and from there, all they can do is mitigate the damage and wonder how it happened in the first place.
This approach focuses more on thinking ahead to what could possibly happen and alleviating those issues before they can become a problem. This way, you’re now in front of any damaging threat versus playing catch up.
In order to develop this cybersecurity blueprint, you need to know what kinds of threats you’re likely to face. Make a detailed list of the common threats in your industry and what these attacks could potentially damage including each piece of equipment that is a part of your network. Then develop the proper measures for protecting that equipment. This can be a range of things including data encryption, perimeter protection, access control and much more. The most important thing is to discuss this with your IT department or hire a trusted MSP since they will know what actions to take and how to best incorporate them.
2. Develop good password management
When it comes to IT, this is one of those things that you hear all the time.. There’s a good reason for that. Most people do not take password management seriously, and even if they do, they only do it for a short time before going back to their old ways.
However, the right password practices can help take your team from being highly vulnerable to being a well protected cyber force. Remember, hackers and cyber criminals like to take the path of least resistance, so making them work harder to gain access to your data will likely make them look elsewhere.
It is likely you have countless passwords that get used on a daily basis and although this may not be what you want to hear, every single website or service you use should have its own unique, complicated password. We know that sounds like a lot of work, but if you want to be safe, you have to work harder than the bad guys (or at least work smarter). You can use the assistance of a password manager to help you organize and create all your passwords in a way that is safe and difficult for others to break. You should also update your passwords on a regular basis, such as every quarter, since older passwords can be easier to break.
3. Use MFA
MFA, aka multi-factor authentication, is your friend in the cybersecurity world. It may be a measure that requires more time and effort, but it goes a long way to protecting your vital information.
Many MFA solutions can easily fall victim to social engineering tactics, so finding a solid solution makes a big impact. Be careful which type of MFA you use, and do thorough research into which will be the best for you and your team.
4. Mending software and hardware weaknesses
Software and hardware are vital keys to any cybersecurity infrastructure, and keeping them as strong as possible goes a long way to keeping you protected since it is the second most prevalent avenue for cyber criminals.
Knowing which areas criminals attack can help prevent them before they even occur, and luckily the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has compiled a list of the most common software hackers break into known as the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Similarly, they have made a list for the biggest mistakes in hardware known as the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) Most Important Hardware Weaknesses List.
Becoming familiar with these two lists can really put you ahead in terms of your cybersecurity proficiency.
5. Minimizing social engineering vulnerabilities
Social engineering accounts for a majority of the hacking threats seen today. By eliminating or properly managing the risk from social engineering attacks, you can take a hefty burden off your cybersecurity plate.
Most social engineering scams try to trick the victim into giving the criminal some type of vital information they can then use to steal whatever they want from the person. Knowledge is going to be your biggest ally in battling this massively present form of illegal behavior. Being aware of the different forms and what they all look like is going to be a significant factor in preventing them from being successful because you will most likely be inundated with them over time. However, knowing what they look like will help prevent your team from becoming another victim, and alerting others will improve the overall cybersecurity landscape.
6. Establish a culture of what vs who
One of the most common fallouts from any cybersecurity attack is the division it creates among the team. Many people finger point and blame each other for how the hack happened, but that is just what the hackers want. They want chaos and things to spin out, but the healthy alternative is to ask, "What went wrong?" rather than, "Who caused the problem?"
This simple change in questioning focuses the issue directly on the problem at hand while not highlighting anyone as the specific reason for the attack. By working together rather than against one another, your team can resolve the issue much faster and can result in them being a tighter unit vs one that has been splintered by a cybersecurity threat. The right mindset will make your employees and business stronger as a whole since everyone working together in a blame free environment can accomplish a lot.
Navigating the world of cybersecurity can be an overwhelming and stressful process, but making sure you have the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. You are never 100% protected from succumbing to a hack or cyber threats, but even implementing these simple steps can help mitigate the likelihood of falling victim to an attack.
Kotman Technology has been delivering comprehensive technology solutions to clients in California and Michigan for nearly two decades. We pride ourselves on being the last technology partner you'll ever need. Contact us today to experience the Kotman Difference.