Cybercrime is on the rise. According to securitymagazine.com, the number of global cyberattacks increased by 28% from 2021 to 2022. Some of the upticks can be explained by hackers exploiting an increasing number of online networks used by remote workers.
As businesses rely more on digital networks, they expose themselves to more cyber threats. Consequently, it’s more important than ever for modern enterprises to protect themselves from bad actors.
Here are the best ways to maintain IT security in 2023:
1. Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Audits
One of the first things an enterprise should do is conduct an IT cybersecurity audit. This involves identifying potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities in company networks through strategies like penetration testing and testing hardware and software.
The results of the security audit may require securely recycling old servers or updating outdated website code.
By conducting regular company-wide cybersecurity audits, you can avoid dangerous cyber threats and costly downtime.
2. Get a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate
To protect your company website, invest in getting a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. Among other things, this safeguards any debit and credit transactions that occur on your website. How? By encrypting information shared between visitors’ web browsers and your site’s server.
SSL protection jumbles sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and email addresses so that even if they were intercepted by unauthorized users, the information would be unintelligible to them.
3. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Take advantage of virtual private networks (VPNs). These keep your online business traffic private, even when remote workers use public or personal Wi-Fi networks.
Basically, a VPN routes all data traffic through an encrypted virtual tunnel and disguises users’ IP addresses. This allows you to establish secure connections for employees and protect against data interception.
4. Regularly Update Software
Regularly updating software is another way to protect your business from cyber threats.
By keeping up with the latest security patches, plug-ins, add-ons, and fixes, you can eliminate vulnerabilities from using outdated versions of operating systems, anti-virus software, and other programs.
5. Use Strong Passwords
Having strong passwords is part of internet safety 101. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Make passwords at least eight characters long with a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Never use predictable phrases like “123456” or “password” for passwords.
- Passwords shouldn’t contain personal information like your name, date of birth, or address.
- Never use the same password twice. If you struggle to keep track of different passwords, try using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password.
- Periodically change passwords to give hackers less time to crack them.
By checking the above boxes, your business will be much safer.
6. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Sometimes a strong password isn’t enough. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security to help protect your business accounts against hackers.
Here’s how it works: MFA requires users to provide a second piece of identifying information after entering their username and password. For example, it could require entering a code sent to a phone number, a fingerprint, an eye scan, or a voice detection prompt. Needless to say, accounts protected by MFA are much harder to hack.
7. Backup Data To The Cloud
Every enterprise needs a data backup solution. Why? Because data can be lost, stolen, or corrupted, and if you don’t have a backup, it’s lost forever. By backing up data to the cloud, you have a way to restore it if needed.
Backup business data to multiple locations. Stick to the 3-2-1 rule, which requires that for every file, you always keep two local copies (on different devices) and one copy off-site, i.e., the cloud.
It’s also important to establish a regular backup schedule. For example, you might schedule regular backups to occur after hours when they will be least disruptive. With the right backup software, you can easily automate the backup schedule. The peace of mind this will give is well worth the investment.
8. Educate Staff On Cybersecurity
Lastly, educate company staff on best cybersecurity practices. This includes how to detect phishing attacks, avoid suspicious links and emails from unknown senders, use strong passwords, log out of accounts after each work session, prevent malware and virus infections, and more.
Whatever you do, emphasize that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across the whole company. Everyone needs to do their part to keep the company secure.
To that end, establish cybersecurity policies and clearly communicate what they are as well as the consequences for breaking them. Hold regular cybersecurity training to keep everyone’s knowledge sharp.
Adding It All Up
Unfortunately, cyber threats aren’t going away. So now is the time to learn how you can protect your business from them.
By implementing the cybersecurity tips listed above, your customers and clients will learn to trust you more with their data, and your business will thrive as a result.
Start taking cybersecurity seriously today. You won’t regret it.