Keeping your business safe online has never been more important. Statistics show that, on average, a small business is hacked every 19 seconds. What’s more, as customers increasingly look to the online marketplace for their goods and services, companies are having to keep pace with the ever-changing security considerations that come with digital expansion.
This article gives you all the help and advice you need to keep your small business safe online.
Backup Your Data
In the event of a security breach, having a good backup system is one of your first lines of defense. Make sure you have regular data backups so that if all else fails, you have a place to fall back on.
Here’s what you need to do:
Create a folder on your computer called ‘Backups’ and put everything in it as it gets saved onto the computer. Keep this backup for at least 1 month before deleting anything from it. You should also make copies of all important files and keep them elsewhere – this could be an external hard drive or USB drive, or even within another cloud storage service such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Regularly test your disaster recovery by recovering the most recent file backup and ensuring that it works as expected.
Safeguard Your Systems
In addition to back-ups, using security software is a good way to safeguard your business data online. There are a lot of great small business support tools out there that can help you keep all of your systems safe – from PCs to servers and cloud storage accounts. For instance, if you are using online systems like Bitbucket to manage workflow, then preventive security for bitbucket is an absolute must. This will help keep your business secure and give you peace of mind.
Lastly, it’s important to stay on top of what’s happening out there regarding cybercrime. Keeping abreast of the latest online threats and staying vigilant when it comes to protecting your personal information online is another necessary step towards safeguarding your business against hackers and other criminals.
By regularly checking that your security software is up to date and ensuring you have a firewall in place, you can rest assured that your business data will be safe from a cyber-attack.
Update Your Passwords Regularly
By using strong passwords for all your online accounts – including bank accounts – you can better protect yourself from other threats such as phishing attacks or account hijacking.
Here’s what you need to do:
Use a long password (ideally over 20 characters) that is made up of numbers, symbols and words; avoid using the same passwords for different accounts; make sure your passwords are unique – don’t use the same one for all accounts; and use a password manager like 1Password or Lastpass to help generate and store secure passwords without you having to memorize them all.
Protect Your Domain Name
A domain name is your website’s digital address – and it can be extremely valuable. Make sure to protect yours by keeping an eye on its expiration date, considering buying some security services for your domain name, and keeping track of how many times people have unsuccessfully tried to hack into it. It’s also a good idea to use two-factor authentication when possible while minimizing the amount of personal information you put out there about yourself online.
Look Out For Phishing Attacks
Phishing is one of the most common online security threats, and it comes in a number of forms. For instance, scammers can send out fake emails that look like they come from a company you trust – such as your bank or Google – directing you to a fake website where they’ll try to get you to enter your personal details. This gives them access to your account, and can potentially leave you out of pocket as a result.
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If you receive an email from a company asking for personal information – especially if it includes links that aren’t from the official website – then delete it immediately. Before entering any kind of login details, make sure that they are on a secure site with the appropriate URL and lock symbol. Only enter passwords when absolutely necessary online, and never click on suspicious links or attachments in emails – even if they appear to come from people you know. The best way to be protected against phishing is simply not to respond to such emails no matter how convincing.
Diversify Your Payment Methods
As well as protecting your business data, don’t forget that cyber-criminals are also on the lookout for ways to steal money from people. Using a number of different payment methods can help protect you against future scams.
For instance, using an electronic wallet or PayPal account alongside credit cards and other standard methods of payment offers you some protection if something goes wrong with one of them. By dividing up incoming funds into different accounts, you’ll be able to recover more quickly in the event that someone does manage to steal some money from you.
Get Insurance
One of the best ways to protect your business data and finances is by making sure you have the right insurance. This includes taking out cybercrime insurance to protect yourself against any expenses you might incur as a result of an attack. Such protection can help cover things like your legal costs, replacement hardware, and lost revenue if the damage is serious enough.
For instance, many policies will cover the cost of any lost or stolen devices and damage to third-party property during a cyber-attack. This can help you get your business up and running again as quickly as possible after such an incident occurs.
Additionally, some companies offer general online security insurance that covers cybercrime expenses such as legal fees related to claims made against your business in response to offensive content published on your website or social media platform.
Wrapping Up
There are many different ways to protect your business online, but these are some of the most important. Not only will they help you avoid falling victim to cyber-criminal activity, but they will also keep you secure knowing that nothing can go wrong with your business data or finances if the worst should happen.
