The importance of proper cybersecurity measures for business networks is obvious, but we often see many organizations get so wrapped up in the day to day, making sure work is done and clients are happy, that efforts to implement and improve security posture get put on the back burner or slip through the cracks. We get it, it happens to the best of us.
So if your org is looking to thwart the multitude of cyber attacks attempting to steal trade secrets, client information, and sabotage a business’s reputation, what are some of the best tools business to use? Well, we’ve got a short list ready for you right here!
1. Encryption
Encryption is a term you’ve probably heard in a number of contexts – email encryption, at-rest encryption, private key encryption – it’s the method of protecting data by scrambling it and rendering it useless to anyone without the key. If your organization handles a lot of sensitive info you may be required to employ certain types of encryption.
For instance, a laptop floating around a doctor’s office must have an encrypted hard drive so that in the event of it being stolen, the data on it is protected, even if the hard drive were to be removed and put into another device.
Or perhaps you’ve received email messages from your bank or accountant that required additional steps before being able to read or open attachments contained inside, such as logging into a portal or only accessing the email from a particular device. Those would be encrypted emails, protecting your data from prying eyes.
2. Multi-factor Authentication
Here it is again – one of our very favorites – multi-factor authentication is an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more factors (password, response to authenticator app, OTP, biometric scan, etc.) to ensure that the user attempting to access confidential data is authorized to do so.
This cybersecurity tool is a must for businesses because it prevents cyber criminals from accessing sensitive information even if they manage to obtain the user’s credentials.
3. Endpoint Protection
Having an endpoint protection system in place will help protect client data stored on the company’s computers and servers from cyber threats like ransomware, viruses, and more. The right endpoint protection cybersecurity solution can proactively detect malicious activity and alert users to potential risks before they become bigger problems.
4. Policies and User Training
A clear, defined set of guidelines for employees so they can be educated and empowered to protect your organization turns each of them into a network defender. Your policies may define password complexity, how to handle devices, and the actions to be taken during a security event.
And these can be more than just words in the employee handbook. For instance, the password complexity mentioned above can be set in the system so that it is a requirement rather than a suggestion to be ignored. Or you may cycle passwords automatically on certain accounts via software, so that if they were compromised, access is routinely cutoff with no human intervention required.
The Importance of Cybersecurity for Businesses
No matter the size of a business, cybersecurity is always important. Cyber criminals have become more sophisticated and threats are constant, which is why it’s essential to have the right tools in place to
- protect your data - these tools help ensure that cyber criminals don’t gain access to client data, confidential information, and other sensitive materials
- protect your reputation - these tools can help avoid downtime, dissatisfied clients, or even lawsuits that would damage the firm’s reputation
- comply with regulations - these measures can help organizations meet their industries' or government regulations and standards like HIPPA and GDPR, avoiding painful fines and punishments
Get the Help You Need
Having these cybersecurity tools in place will help businesses remain secure against cyber criminals and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. By having the correct tools in place and ensuring that they are kept up-to-date, businesses can rest assured knowing that their documents, data, network, and reputation are safe.
If you or your organization find that utilizing these security measures is difficult to do on your own, the good news is that you don’t have to. Proactive and comprehensive IT service providers will have the right solutions so you can be assured that your business is protected from the latest cyber threats.
