10 Cyber Security Tips And Best Practices For Your Business

In recent years, account hacking increased by +139%. The No. 1 threat for professionals remains ransomware. Faced with the proliferation of digital tools and the intensification of their use, it is essential to protect yourself. 

Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems connected to the Internet, including hardware, software, and data, against cyberattacks. In the context of digital transformation, the use of IT systems is becoming more and more important, the objective of cybersecurity is to limit risks and protect digital assets against malicious attacks. Information security is designed to protect and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. It is a very common subset of cybersecurity.

Companies, large or small, employees as well as individuals must implement best practices in cybersecurity. One of the most problematic elements of cybersecurity is the ever-changing nature of security risks which is a type of stealth and continuous hacking, often orchestrated to target a specific entity.

10 Cyber security tips and best practices for your business

All businesses can limit some of the risks by taking appropriate steps to protect themselves and their organization online. Here you get 10  Cyber security tips and best practices for your business. 

1. Manage your passwords well

The security of the services used daily by companies depends largely on the proper management of passwords. To avoid compromising the security of your access, it is recommended to use a unique password for each application.

In order to limit the risk of a brute force attack, favor passwords that are impossible to guess, with at least 8 to 12 characters. They must include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Here is a good example of a password: BcxXe(X<(484. 

In addition to activating the  double authentication” function, it is possible to use a secure password manager, responsible for remembering them for you. 

Finally, be careful about your email password, which is generally linked to many online services. If a cybercriminal managed to hack it, he could gain access to sensitive data.

2. Back up your data regularly

Companies victimized by data theft can lose up to 20% of their value, according to the survey carried out by experts in cybersecurity research for SMEs.

If you suffer a hack or if one of your devices breaks down, or is stolen, or lost, backup is the only solution to recover your sensitive data.

To recover them easily, it is necessary to regularly back up the data of your IT tools including PCs, tablets, smartphones, connected objects, etc. Be sure to keep a copy of the backups on a USB key or external hard drive, to be unplugged once the backup has been executed.

3. Perform security updates on all computer equipment

By updating as soon as they are offered, you fix potential security vulnerabilities. You prevent hackers from using them to break into your IT tools. Thus, you avoid the theft, destruction, or espionage of your data.

4. Use an antivirus

Antiviruses are valuable allies to protect against the main attacks and existing viruses. Multiple free or paid software are available on the market to protect your company from computer cyber security breaches. Take care to select one that is suitable for your uses and the level of protection you are aiming for. An IT cybersecurity expert from Steadfast Solutions can help you make the best choice.

Frequently check the updates of the antiviruses installed on your computer devices to make sure that you have not been infected. Remember to launch deep scans from time to time is a good way to prevent cyberattacks.

5. Download applications exclusively through official sites

To reduce the risk of installing a booby-trapped app intended to hack your devices, download your apps from official stores like the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

At the same time, avoid using suspicious or fraudulent websites, which may introduce malware to your computer tools.

6. Pay attention to unexpected or alarmist messages

Do you receive an unexpected or alarmist message by email, SMS, or chat, from a known or legitimate sender? Take the time to find out internally, then externally, about the merits of the request.

Spam is likely to hide a phishing attempt. The objective can be to. 

• Stealing confidential information;
• Send a virus slipped into an attachment;
• Trick into opening a link leading to a malicious website.

7. Inspect the sites on which you make purchases

Before buying on the internet, it is essential to check. 

• The credibility of the offer
• Customer reviews
• The version of the site. It must be official and not fraudulent

In the event of an order on a dubious or malicious site, you risk having your professional credit card number stolen, having a counterfeit, or a dangerous product delivered to you.

8. Control your use of social networks

Disinformation, identity theft, fraud, blackmail, information theft, cyberbullying, and defamation are everywhere now. To avoid these dangers related to cyber security follow the below things. 

• Protect your professional social media accounts with strong passwords
• Regularly check your privacy settings
• Do not post sensitive information on your pages

9. Separate personal and professional use

If your uses are not separated, the hacking of personal access can impact your business and vice versa. To maximize your cybersecurity, consider using separate passwords, emails, and storage services for each use.

10. Beware of public Wi-Fi networks

In professional mobility, preferably use the 4G or 5G connection of your smartphone. Avoid public Wifi, most of the time is poorly secured. If you have no other option, do not perform sensitive operations and use a virtual private network (VPN).

Conclusion

Do you want to secure your information system? To avoid cyberattacks, organizations must implement good cybersecurity practices as soon as possible— password management, backups, updates, antivirus, etc. Being vigilant, everywhere, all the time is part of the preventive golden rules to guard against cyberattacks. 

Being accompanied by one of the cybersecurity companies guarantees the security of your network against computer attacks. Hope the above guide will surely help you to prevent cyberattacks. If you have any other quires regarding cyber security, you can ask us in the comment section.