5 Ways to Keep Your Data Secure in 2022
There are many challenges in small business cyber security for 2022, but that does not mean you can’t follow strategies to beat them. The average cost of cybercrime has risen 10% in the past year, and now predictions expect the cost of cybercrime to grow to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
What Is A Cyber-Attack, Exactly?
In the first half of 2019, cyberattacks revealed 4.1 billion records. Hackers launch a cybersecurity assault every 39 seconds or 2,244 times every day on average. A cyber attack is a digital assault by an outside agent on any network device, software, or hardware, with the goal of gaining access to files, destroying information, distributing it, or holding it for ransom. In the first half of 2019, cyberattacks revealed 4.1 billion records. Hackers launch a cybersecurity assault every 39 seconds or 2,244 times every day on average.
So how can companies stay safe? By simply following the five simple steps listed below, your organization can become more cyber aware and prepare for the latest threats of 2022.
The Best Small Business Cybersecurity Tips for 2022
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If your employees are working remotely, ensure they are using a VPN
Employees who work from home can pose one of the most significant risks to your network’s security. They risk offering fraudsters and hackers access to your company’s network and critical data if they unwittingly implement bad cyber security hygiene practices. These include working from public wifi or insecure home connections, leaving devices unattended, or using personal devices to transmit company data.
When sending sensitive data via personal devices, it must be encrypted. For safeguarding email data, contact lists, and attachments, organizations might ask their remote accessing staff to use email encryption solutions. A good cyber security solution may assist in encrypting all data on a cloud-based platform. A secure file-sharing platform may also be used to encrypt data. Businesses can also use a business VPN to safely encrypt data and connect to an internal network while working online.
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Perform Regular Security Awareness Training
Security Awareness is about protecting information for you and your company and 85% of data breaches are due to human error. Employees should be taught how to recognize and prevent phishing emails. Phishing emails and other cyber dangers will be significantly reduced as a result of this. From the minute a new employee comes through the door, implementing a cyber-security awareness training program will assist help to prevent costly cyberattacks and empower employees to feel confident responding to cyber threats they may be exposed to.
Employees should know where to report cyber security incidents they experience and how to respond appropriately. Employees should recognize common threats such as phishing, BEC (business email compromise), and social engineering attacks. Security Awareness is about protecting vital information for you and your company. Cybersecurity training helps your employees find and act on common security risks and learn how to prevent them.
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Ensure Passwords are Strong, Unique, and Secure
Even if a company utilizes firewalls, VPNs, and other cybersecurity tools to secure remote workers, human error can still occur if employees use weak passwords to protect their accounts. Hackers can take advantage of human mistakes to bypass even the most advanced protection software. This is why they will attempt to crack account passwords in order to get access to critical information. Twenty-three million people still use shockingly the password 123456.
Effective password policies aid in the development of personal responsibility towards cybersecurity in company culture. Password policy clauses should prohibit the use of repetitive passwords or personal information for account logins. Passwords consisting of a string of random words, numbers, and special characters according to cybersecurity experts, are the best. The more characters (12 or more) in a password, the more difficult it is to crack. To remotely access office information, use multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution.
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Update and Patch Software and Hardware Automatically
Firewalls and software programs should be updated. Cyberattacks occur every year as a result of firms’ unwillingness to update critical software. Microsoft provided a patch to correct the problem a few weeks before the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017. Tens of thousands of organizations were left unprotected because they neglected to apply the patch. Patching and upgrading IT systems on a regular basis is crucial for preserving sensitive data and reducing security risk.
Operating systems such as Mac, Linux, and Microsoft all release patches to their OS on a regular basis. Apps and embedded systems are also all common places that will require routine patches (like network equipment). A patch is used to correct a vulnerability discovered after a piece of software has been released. This helps to guarantee that your environment’s assets are not vulnerable to abuse from hackers. Set up automatic patching to ensure your devices never miss a critical update.
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Utilize Endpoint Detection and Response Software
Endpoints had been typical access sites for threat actors even before COVID. Many organizational changes have resulted from the epidemic, including remote work and the adoption of BYOD devices, making endpoints and companies even more exposed to cyber threats. To keep malicious actors out of the endpoint perimeter and neutralize threats before they can do damage, it’s critical to continually monitor endpoints.
An endpoint is any mobile device including phones, iPads, laptops, and more. Your business must ensure that each endpoint is equipped with vulnerability detection and continuous monitoring software to common endpoint security threats. Malware may readily be downloaded unintentionally onto a user’s laptop or phone and spread quickly to the entire business network.
In Conclusion
A single security breach can cost your company tens of thousands of dollars in lost income and damages, and not to mention your reputation and customer relationships, cyber attack prevention is paramount in 2022. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and businesses must develop implement these steps to safeguard their data from cyberattackers. Companies must build comprehensive data security policies and end-to-end protection procedures, fully train all staff on the latest security threats and implement multi-factor authentication to address access security.