From small to large businesses, hacking could happen to anyone. One of the largest data breaches was at Yahoo! in 2013. It compromised 3 billion people!
Hearing these stats about how even large corporations could be victims, you might wonder what you can do to protect your business. The good news is that you have options. Read this guide on company safety and how to protect it online today!
Table of Contents
Use Secure Passwords
Along with hiring Law Firm Cyber Security Experts, deterrents such as strong passwords will protect your devices. Ensure that your employees change their passwords every 90 days.
Strong passwords include a mixture of lower and upper case letters. They could also include a mixture of symbols, numbers, etc.
Encourage employees to use different passwords for services and websites. If they use the same and they’re hacked, the hacker will then be able to access several locations.
Business safety tips should be a part of orientation and ongoing training. You could also consider a password manager. That way, only one password will need to be remembered.
For secure use, consider requiring two-step verification. A code will be sent to their computer or phone to prove that it’s them. This makes it harder for hackers to gain access since they won’t have your employee’s phone.
Safe password tips:
- Don’t use numbers with personal details
- Don’t save your password to the browser
- Have various passwords
- Use long passwords
Educate Employees on Phishing
Teach employees about secure websites and connections. Employees should never click on unknown links in emails.
They should understand that hackers will impersonate trustworthy companies. Tell them to avoid sites that ask for your password on the login screen.
Avoid misspelled domains, unfamiliar links, and emails that have odd requests. Tell them not to open strange emails. If they’re unsure, they can contact their manager. It’s always best to report any suspicious activity.
Let Them Know What To Look For
Tell them to avoid emails that request them to log in. They should always use unique passwords that won’t be easy to figure out.
Hold quarterly meetings where you go over suspicious emails, links, etc. If someone asks for private information, have the employee reach out to the HR department.
Have employees avoid blogs and social media since they can impersonate others. Malware can spread through these networks.
Ensure that your scanner and printer are secure. These machines store and collect private data. Wipe the hard drives over time to protect them.
Have them look for small typos in URLs that might look trustworthy at first. They might have other slight differences or wrongly-placed symbols.
Have a Cyber Security Plan
Consider having a risk mitigation report done. IT professionals will come to your office and try to “hack” into your system.
They’ll go over how easy it is and anything you can do to improve security. Have prevention procedures and policies in place.
If there is a problem, have a resolution in place and how you’ll let your employees and clients know. You might also want to consider cybersecurity insurance to protect you from this.
Protect Your Customers
Follow a privacy policy to keep your customers’ data safe. It should let them know how you’ll dispose of, use, and collect information.
All physical sensitive information needs to be shredded or kept secure. It’s best to keep sensitive information protected and secure on your computer.
Uses Security Software
Use a business VPN to stay safe online. This will encrypt the information at all times.
Consider having a DNS Filtering device. This will stop them from accessing dangerous sites.
You’ll want to have virus and malware protectors as well. Firewalls will also prevent hacks.
Protect Technology
Have software that scans your email for dangerous links and viruses. Your employees need to understand email scams and other tactics.
Secure your server. This means that there are limited points of entry to keep customer data safe.
Have backups offsite in case you’re hacked. This will allow you to access your data and get up and running again. Only allow certain members access to this information.
Consider working with a security company. They’ll focus on keeping your business safe online so you can focus on what matters. Many of them will have 24/7 emergency service. You can have an internal IT team as well.
Picking Offices
Consider the location before you buy or rent an office. See the neighborhood crime stats of the area. Have the number for emergency personnel in the area.
Perform a background check on each person before you hire them. Consider performing a search online for each person.
Once you hire employees, limit their access to different locations. Have keys to access certain parts of the building. Only give them to those you trust.
Have a security system that turns on when everyone leaves. Padlocks and deadbolts will provide a more secure lock. You could also consider timed locks.
Don’t keep cash on hand. Keep all windows, doors, and other points of entry locked.
Understanding Company Safety Online
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of company safety online. Go over the different facts and stats with your employees and ensure they’re practicing top safety tips. Don’t stop researching; consider hiring an IT security professional to keep your business safe.
Would you like to read more content with businesses in mind? We can help! Be sure to check out our other articles on our site today.
