Risk Tolerance: 10 Ways to Protect Your Business from the Internet

1. Build a wall

Whilst it may not be a morally acceptable course of action for the President of the United States, building a wall is essential for cyber security. Of course, in this instance, we are referring to a network firewall as opposed to a physical one. The function of the firewall however is similar to a real life wall as it controls both incoming and outgoing network traffic minimise risk of security threats.

via GIPHY
and don't neglect it!

2. Regularly change passwords

The simplest way for hackers to get into your systems is by decoding your passwords. It’s therefore important to make sure that all employee passwords are changed on a regular basis.

Make sure that all default passwords are changed immediately as new staff members are brought on board. You can also create automated systems to ensure that all your employees’ passwords are changed monthly.

3. Back up

Protect yourself against the worst case scenario by regularly backing up all data and key systems. So in the event of hacking or an unforeseen system malfunction, you can continue your operations with minimal disruption.

4. Update your software

Having anti-virus programs is a great way to protect your business, but even the best software in the world needs regular updates in order to work effectively.

via GIPHY
Yeah, we know you do this.

5. Encrypt sensitive data

In the event that you are hacked, the last thing you want is to be in breach of data protection laws. By ensuring that any sensitive data concerning customers and employees is encrypted, you are protecting yourself from any such legal action.

6. Limited employee access

Minimise the risk of security breaches by ensuring all network users only have access to the data they need. Likewise, you can reduce the risk of sites containing viruses and spyware being opened within your network by blocking access to unnecessary websites.

7. Encrypt your WiFi network

Ensure that only authorized personnel access your WiFi network by encrypting it and changing the password regularly. If you sometimes access your systems over insecure networks such as public Wi-Fi, make sure a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used.

8. Educate your staff

Have you ever had an e-mail including a link that you weren’t sure about? More often than not, these links leave you vulnerable to phishing or ransomware. Minimise this risk by educating your staff about clicking on links sent via e-mails, social media or unfamiliar websites.

9. Cloud hosting

By migrating to the cloud, you ensure that your data is not only stored off-site but also protected by the latest and most robust security measures in the industry. Cloud hosting companies like Macquarie Cloud Services make their entire living out of storing and protecting data. It’s therefore their job to keep up to date with industry advancements and continuously scale their cyber security measures to meet demand.

10. Get professional help

Let’s be realistic, if you were an expert cyber security, you’d probably be working in cyber security instead of running your business. So whilst having some basic knowledge on this stuff is great, there’s no need for you to spend all your time on it when you can hire professionals to do it for you.

Conclusion

When it comes to cyber security, there are several things you can do to minimise risks and protect yourself. However, it’s important to remember that as technology evolves, new risks emerge on a continuous basis. It’s therefore within your interest to outsource your cyber security to a company that specialises in the field. After all, these companies continuously invest in the latest software and infrastructure so you don’t have to.

Many cloud hosting companies come complete with all the latest cyber-security measures, back-up & encryption capabilities as well as other invaluable IT solutions. So perhaps it is time to bite the bullet, migrate to the cloud and kill 10 birds with one stone!

The post Risk Tolerance: 10 Ways to Protect Your Business from the Internet appeared first on TechGeek.

from TechGeek https://ift.tt/31yOPlu