Cybercrimes around the world cost $16.4 billion every day. It’s not just large corporations that lose money because of cybercrime.
The majority of businesses that get hit with attacks are small businesses. Hackers know that they’re easy targets. They don’t have the budget or expertise to identify and prevent cyberattacks.
IT security isn’t something to take lightly. You don’t think it can happen to you, so you ignore it. A cyberattack does occur, costing thousands of dollars.
They type of situation leads many businesses to shut their doors within a few months. How can you avoid a similar fate?
Read this IT security guide to learn three things you can use to make your business a little more secure.
1. Password Monitoring
People still use easy-to-use passwords like “1234” and “Admin” to log into company accounts. Hackers figure this out in just a few seconds.
IT security starts with a strict password policy for all company software. All passwords should be at least 9 characters long with numbers, letters, and characters.
They shouldn’t spell out the company name or make it easy to figure out. Consider using a password manager to store hard-to-remember passwords and suggest strong ones.
2. Update Software Regularly
Software updates are an area of vulnerability. These updates often provide security patches that prevent attacks. Fail to install these updates, and you’re increasing the likelihood of an attack.
Don’t delay these updates when they’re available. For some programs, you can set up an auto-install to ensure all updates get made.
3. Have a Cyberattack Plan
Every business needs to have an IT security plan, the same way they have safety plans. A comprehensive cyberattack plan should have three parts: prevent, detect, and respond.
Training your employees needs to be at the top of the prevention plan. About a third of remote workers don’t pay attention to security guidelines, leaving your company vulnerable.
A lot of time and attention gets focused on preventing attacks. Many attacks go undetected for months. What kind of system monitoring will you put in place to detect attacks?
A system monitor detects anomalies in your system, which are usually a sign of attack. It tracks system uptime and notifies you when the system is down.
The speed at which you respond to attacks could make or break your business. Put a response plan in place that details specific actions and who is responsible for making them.
For instance, you can have the IT guy shut down the network immediately, the accountant calls the insurance company and authorities.
Understanding IT Security
IT security is important for every business. You just learned three very basic steps to take to secure your network and data.
Make sure you use strong passwords, always update software, and have a plan to train employees and detect attacks.
If you found this guide to IT security helpful, you’ll also find the other IT articles useful. Head over to the Cybersecurity section of this site and check them out today!
