How to Prevent Cyberattacks: A Small Business Guide
As a small business, a cyber attack can have a devastating effect on your day-to-day operations and even your business’s future as a whole. They can be costly affairs, so learning how to prevent cyberattacks is critical for any small business that utilises technology for running its business. It is critical that you’re doing all you can with your cybersecurity.
Here at VCI Systems, we help small businesses across Reading and Berkshire as a whole stay safe online, keeping their business protected from cybercriminals. Join us in this blog as we outline what you can do as a small business owner to prevent cyberattacks.
Why Small Businesses Are Prime Targets for Cybercriminals
There are a few reasons cybercriminals might target small businesses for cyberattacks. The main reason tends to be the fact that they tend to have weaker defences, especially when you compare them to large businesses or international corporations. While the latter would provide a bigger ‘payday’ for the cybercriminals, they view small businesses as a quick and easy option.
How to Prevent Cyberattacks: Essential Protection Steps for Small Businesses
When it comes to preventing cyberattacks as a small business, there are several things you can do that are cost-effective measures that strengthen your defences.
Strengthen Passwords & Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
You should encourage your colleagues or employees to opt for strong passwords, and recommend that they don’t use repeated ones, as they may have been in a previous data leak. If they suggest they may not be able to remember their password, we recommend a password manager to store it.
As a business owner, we always suggest utilising multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add another layer of protection.
Keep Systems Up to Date
Out-of-date software may have been updated due to security risks or breaches, so if your business isn’t quick to update, you will be subject to these risks also. This also applies to apps and browsers your business might use, along with hardware such as WiFi routers.
Train Staff to Spot Threats
Human error is commonly known as the biggest cause of cyber breaches, so be sure to train your staff to know what to spot. Phishing simulations and mandatory awareness courses are common practices for businesses that want to keep their staff ahead of attempted breaches.
It all comes down to regular training and guidance for staff. Implement a safe email practice, setting clear boundaries on what should, and shouldn’t, be trusted.
Backup Data Regularly
Ensuring your business stores up-to-date backups of your website and data is key in case the worst happens. This means that should there be a cyber breach, your business isn’t completely sunk by the attack. Cloud backups are a safe and effective way of storing them, so we recommend looking into these. As a business owner, you need to test your restoration process to ensure there are no gaps in the unlikely scenario.
Install and Maintain Cybersecurity Tools
There are plenty of free and cheap cybersecurity tools available for small businesses. Installing anti-virus software on business computers means you’re covered while using these machines. For more complex solutions, you can also install firewalls, endpoint detection and web filtering to limit the places an attack could come from.
Improve Network Security
This ties in to our previous point on updating software. If you have the latest WiFi router, you’re likely to be operating on the most secure WiFi network (WPA3). Best practices for your network should include a guest network for visitors and password-protecting your main network. If you have remote workers, ensure they are using a remote VPN network when accessing business accounts.
How an IT Support Company in Berkshire Can Help Protect Your Business
While these are all measures you can implement into your small business, they can be time-consuming affairs, despite the value and security they add. The solution? Enlist the help of the cybersecurity experts for small businesses in Berkshire. Here at VCI Systems, we have over 20 years of experience helping businesses of varying sizes stay ahead of the curve with our IT solutions. For more information or to find out how our cybersecurity service could protect your business, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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