More and more businesses are finding themselves dealing with data breaches. Irrespective of the size, type, or location of your business, you could find your business targeted by cybercriminals. But how do you protect your business against cyberattacks?

Here are some steps that you can start taking today:

1. Securing Your Data

The need for buying good cyber security software is being emphasized by many business owners. This is as the right cyber security software can protect your business from data loss. Some businesses also find themselves dealing with the loss of hardware. To prevent cyber attacks from affecting your business, you’ll need to use complicated passwords to protect your devices. Your passwords should only be shared with the user of the device. It shouldn’t be written down anywhere, but rather committed to memory.

You should also physically attach computers to the desks they are sitting on, to prevent them from being physically stolen. All your software including laptops, tablets, and phones, should have a ‘find the device’ software installed. This ensures that even if the device is stolen, it can still be recovered by local authorities.

You should also ensure that your company’s hardware is protected. This is because stolen hardware can lead to data loss among other issues. Consider investing in cyber insurance as well. This is as running a business exposes you to certain risks like getting targeted by cybercriminals. When you have cyber insurance, you can better protect your business from cybercriminals, as well as any damages that they might cause. If you would like to learn more about cyber insurance, then click here.

2. Encrypting And Backing Up Data

To create a cyber crime prevention strategy that is effective, you’ll need to focus on two key areas. The first of these is ensuring that physical access to any kind of sensitive data is limited. If this data falls into malicious hands, then it could end up negatively affecting your business.

One of the most efficient ways to protect your data, is by using encryption. You’ll be able to protect your data against data breaches as well. Aside from your data, you’ll also be able to protect the customer as well as employee information. You can also ensure that your business data is protected. Look for full disk versions of encryption software. This can be found included in all kinds of modern operating systems. These can ensure that data is encrypted, even if the device is not being used.

You should also ensure that security software is updated, as well as activated, on all the devices of your business. Work on reducing the amount of time that computers sit without being used. Ensure that your devices go into lock mode within five minutes of not being used.

3. Educate Your Workforce

The most common way that data breaches occur is through employees. A lot of them don’t know how to recognize threats, and they also don’t know what actions leave their companies open to attacks from cybercriminals. Employees can cause cyber breaches even by using personal devices at work. This is why employees need to be provided with security training regarding what they can do to protect their company against cyber attacks.

You should also teach them about unsecured websites. They should know to never access websites that are unsecured using work devices. This can give cybercriminals direct access to company data that might be sensitive.

4. Unsecured Network Access Prevention

More often than not, asking your employees to not use personal devices at work won’t work. Employees could end up using their personal devices at work, simply because they find it more convenient. This is why you should teach your employees why using personal devices at work can be dangerous. Let them know what an unsecured network is, as well as why they shouldn’t access it, even using personal devices.

Teach them that unsecured networks are found at coffee shops, airports, hotels, and more, and why they should be avoided.

5. Admin Rights For Networks Should Be Restricted

Only a small number of people should be provided with access to IT admin or access rights. These should be people you absolutely trust. This helps minimize the risk of data breaches. This is because employees will not be able to give information away when they don’t have access to them.

Your IT department personnel should also be adequately trained in managing and safekeeping valuable company information.

Conclusion

Businesses should ensure that valuable company data is protected from cybercriminals. There are several ways that businesses can make this happen. This article discusses five of those ways.