1. Identify your most valuable assets:
It is important to identify and protect your organization’s most valuable assets, including customer data, intellectual property, financial information, and other sensitive data. This can be done by conducting risk assessments to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and associated risks. Additionally, organizations should have policies in place that govern how data is collected and stored.
2. You need a small business antivirus, and more:
Organizations should have an appropriate level of antivirus software installed on all computers to protect against malicious files or malicious code that may be downloaded onto the company’s systems. This should also include firewalls, web filtering, and other security measures to keep out unwanted threats.
3. Simplify what you can:
Businesses should aim to limit their attack surface by simplifying their networks as much as possible. By reducing the number of devices connected to the network, organizations can make it harder for attackers to find vulnerable entry points into the system. Additionally, employees should be trained in proper cybersecurity protocols to ensure that they do not create any unnecessary risks.
4. Secure your mobile devices:
Organizations should take steps to secure any mobile devices that are used for business purposes, including installing anti-malware software and ensuring that the device’s operating system is up-to-date with the latest security patches. Additionally, organizations should consider using mobile device management software in order to monitor and control access to company data on these devices.
5. Use strong passwords:
Strong passwords can help protect an organization’s systems from unauthorized access. Organizations should also implement password policies requiring users to frequently change their passwords as well as avoid using insecure or easily guessed phrases as passwords.
6. Protect your online accounts and identity:
Organizations should also take steps to protect their online accounts and identities from cybercriminals. This can include implementing two-factor authentication for all login accounts, monitoring unusual activity on the accounts, and enabling notifications if suspicious activity is detected. Additionally, organizations should not reuse passwords across multiple accounts or share them with anyone else.
7. Stop ransomware:
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data until payment of a ransom is made to the attacker(s). To help prevent ransomware attacks, organizations should ensure that they have adequate backup systems in place so that data can be restored even if it is encrypted by attackers. Additionally, they should regularly update their operating systems and other software programs to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.
8. Backup and update:
Regular backups of data should be taken and stored offsite in case of a ransomware attack or other type of cyber incident. Additionally, organizations should make sure to keep their operating systems and software up to date with the latest security patches to help prevent known threats.
9. Protect your money:
Organizations should take steps to protect themselves from financial losses due to cybercrime by implementing appropriate fraud prevention measures such as monitoring bank accounts for unusual activity, regularly changing passwords for access to payment portals, using two-factor authentication for payment gateways, and always double-checking invoices before making payments or transferring funds.
10. Good cyber security practices:
Finally, organizations should make sure that their staff understand good cyber security practices and that training is regularly provided to keep them up-to-date with the latest threats. This can include educating staff about phishing emails, safe browsing habits, and how to identify malicious websites or other suspicious activity. Additionally, organizations should ensure that all users have access to the appropriate cyber security tools and resources needed to protect themselves online.
