5 Cybersecurity Essentials Every Business Must Know

Protecting your network is the foundation of a secure business environment. You should implement these essential steps to fortify your network and prevent unauthorized access.

Secure Wi-Fi Network

Smart business owners know the importance of having a secure Wi-Fi network. Consider going for Wi-Fi that supports the stricter WPA2 or WPA3 standards. While WPA3 offers the highest level of security, keep in mind that not all older wireless devices might be compatible with it.

Firewall and Antivirus Software

Think of a firewall as your internal security guard, keeping your network protected from the Internet and other potentially sketchy external networks. And antivirus software? It's like having a bouncer that spots, blocks, and kicks malware out of your computer systems. Together, these two act as the backbone of cybersecurity for your business.

When a software company spots security vulnerabilities, they usually whip up some code patches to tackle the issues. These patches get bundled up, often with other tweaks, into regular updates.

Since patches fix bugs and other weak spots that can cause security headaches, it's super important to keep your software up to date. You'll be much more resistant to viruses and cyber attacks by doing so! And don't forget, it's even more crucial to keep your company's cybersecurity software current. 

One of the simplest and most effective ways to safeguard your small business is by setting up strong password policies. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your company's IT platforms and protects any sensitive information they hold. With so many people working from home nowadays, these measures have become more important than ever.

Strong passwords, along with other identification and authentication methods, can fend off cyber attacks, whether they're coming through a home network or a VPN. It's all about keeping your information safe and secure!

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your data and "locks" it up, holding your company's information hostage. Once your data is locked, hackers might demand a hefty ransom to give it back. To safeguard against this, make a habit of backing up your data regularly.

If you've got your company data up-to-date and backed up, you're pretty much immune to ransomware attacks. Plus, these backups also save you from catastrophic equipment failures and other issues that could wipe out your vital company info. Think of a computer virus like a physical one—if you don't contain it, it'll spread.

While backing up data isn't exactly difficult, it can quickly turn into a tedious task. Schedules can get messed up, and before you know it — you've forgotten to back up your files. Luckily, there are plenty of automated backup solutions out there that take care of the boring stuff for you and make sure you never skip a scheduled backup again.

Employees are one of the most significant factors in cybersecurity breaches. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, human error plays a role in nearly 95% of breaches, while phishing remains one of the top threats, accounting for 16% of breaches in 2023 alone. 

Even the most well-intentioned team members can accidentally cause a major breach with a single click. For example, opening a seemingly harmless attachment can unleash malware across your company’s systems.

Let your employees know that phishing often starts with social engineering, which uses common emotions and psychology to trick people into certain actions. Phishing usually kicks off with an email or text that looks real and urgent, often appearing to be from someone they know or trust.

Some phishing scams ask for sensitive information, while others tempt you to click on a link or attachment. Whatever they’re trying to get you to do, following through usually leads to trouble. Clicking just once can unleash malicious software onto your systems, from viruses and worms to adware and spyware, causing all sorts of problems for your business.