Discover the essential cybersecurity best practices that every business should implement. From employee education and strong password policies to multi-factor authentication and incident response planning. Don’t compromise your company’s security – prioritize cybersecurity today.
In today’s interconnected and technology-driven world, the importance of cybersecurity for businesses is paramount. With the ever-growing threat landscape and the potential for devastating cyber-attacks, implementing robust security measures has become a crucial aspect of running a successful and resilient organization. We discussed this with TechQuarters, who have been providing small businesses IT support London-based SMBs have been using for over 10 years. They discussed some of the key cybersecurity best practices that modern businesses should implement. Below are either examples…
1. Strong Password Policies
A strong password policy can help to eliminate many easily avoidable forms of cyber-attack – many of which are due to users either re-using passwords for multiple accounts, or using very weak passwords.
An organisation can implement password entropy requirements – in other words, passwords must have a minimum length and complexity to ensure they are harder to crack. Another common policy is requiring users to regularly change their passwords.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Tying into password policies is the principle of authentication. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is when users are required to provide additional forms of authentication (besides their username & password) in order to access their account.
This added layer of protection can help mitigate the risk of fraud and low-level account hacking attempts. MFA can be used across many different systems, platforms and applications.
3. Secure Network Infrastructure
Network security is a very important foundation of business cybersecurity. There have always been challenges around network security; with the advent of hybrid and remote working, this has not changed.
There are many different measures that businesses can do to keep their network security up to scratch. The most notable of which is implementing firewalls – of which there are many different types. Another notable strategy is the use of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).
Owing to the complexity of network security, many businesses opt to recruit the help of IT providers – this is what TechQuarters often does when providing business IT support London companies rely on.
4. Regular Software Updates and Patching
Updates and patches ensure that software is up-to-date – they help improve performance, and remove bugs of UX issues. But, more importantly, they close vulnerabilities in the software that hackers may otherwise be able to exploit. This is why software updates and patching is a security best practice.
There are many systems and applications (namely software-as-a-service products) which can have their updates automated. Otherwise, businesses should keep track of patches and updates for all the software they use.
5. Employee Education and Awareness
The most important best practice for cybersecurity – one that all businesses should be implementing – is employee education and awareness. All the security measures in the world will not help if employees are not aware of the risks, and actively working to mitigate them.
Organisations can schedule regular awareness campaigns every year to ensure that employees are reminded of the risks, and their knowledge is refreshed.
Employees should also be aware of common cyber risks – such as phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, malvertising, etc.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is an ongoing process. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, with cybercriminals devising new techniques and exploiting vulnerabilities. Therefore, remaining vigilant is crucial. According to TechQuarters, from their experience providing IT support for legal firms, financial organisations, and various other security-conscious sectors, businesses must regularly reassesse and update their security measures. This is the only way to stay informed about emerging threats.
Fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organisation will help you stay one step ahead of potential risks.
