Business Data Protection Over the Holidays

Keep Systems and Software Up To Date

Hackers can become aware of vulnerabilities in certain software, sometimes caused by bugs and these can be exploited to harm your computer system and steal personal data.·  Which is why you should set Up Automatic Software Updates to be performed regularly so you do not have to manually do it yourself every time it is needed.

Back Up Critical Data

When working with data it is known that backups are important, but sometimes we need to follow strict rules to make sure everything is in place in case of an emergency. Keep three copies of your data: a secure cloud storage location, an external hard drive or The local machine.

Also you should also,  keep a schedule of these backups, test that they are working and keep them fairly up to date.

Invest In A Cloud Service Provider

By investing in a cloud service provider you will be sure that your data is stored, security is managed and your software is up to date. This is especially ideal for small businesses seeking better cyber protection, but may not suit larger organizations.

Secure Your Wireless Network

If your company is using a wireless network, make sure that it is protected. You can use Service Set Identifier (SSID) and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). This will prevent hackers looking to spy or steal your information from infiltrating your wireless network.

Safeguard or Change Passwords

It is also a good idea to update the passwords for all of your important accounts especially if your emails contain sensitive workplace/client information.

Some basic criteria to know when creating your passwords is that it is best to use unique, longer passwords that are easy to remember but hard to guess. Also it is advised to use different passwords for different services, which is what will help secure your data.

You can use password managers such as LastPass or 1Password which are great security tools, where you can store and manage all your passwords. This will take away the hassle of remembering all of the passwords for each of the different services you use.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on Your Services

Enable Multi-Factor authentication where possible in order to add that extra layer of protection to your data.

By adding MFA you essentially require a secondary set of authentication details which can be sent through SMS or email to log in, a fingerprint or a face scan. What this means is, anyone who tries to log in with your details won’t be able to access the account, even with your username and password.

By implementing MFA, hackers won’t be able to use compromised credentials because they don’t have the additional authentication factors needed to gain access to your system.

Train and Educate Your Team

Having the right Cybersecurity procedure in place has to be the responsibility of the entire organization. Therefore it is essential to train and educate employees regularly on the security risks and threats your business faces daily. Your employees are the ones who handle business on a daily basis, so they should know how to protect their work.

Unplug all unnecessary devices.

Prior to leaving the office, you should thoroughly survey the entire area and unplug anything that does not have to be running when away. It is a common mistake for employees to leave heaters or kitchen gadgets on. These should always be unplugged after use, especially when left unattended.