Top 10 Ways to Improve Cyber Security

After reading about the dangers of hackers, you might be worried about your own network security. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself. Here are ten of the best ways to improve your cyber security. 

Top 10 Ways to Improve Cyber Security

1) Back-Up Your Data

About 70% of companies lose information because their recent data was not backed up. Taking a minute to store your files on a virtual database (such as Cloud storage) or a physical database (such as a USB drive) will let you access your valuable data in the event of a cyber threat. 

2) Encrypt Your Information

Encryption is a technique that takes information and encodes it. Only people that have a key can "unlock" the code and view the actual data. 90% of hackers use encryption to mask their identities, proving its effectiveness in preserving private information. 

3) Educate Your Employees

Over 30% of data breaches come from your internal employees. In some cases, this may be intentional. However, usually, employees let in malware by accident. Incorporating basic cyber security lectures into the training process can go a long way in preventing these incidents.

4) Create Security Guidelines 

Did you know that even just one cyber security breach can cost a company over $8 million dollars? While you can't eliminate the possibility of a hack entirely, you can minimize it by creating stricter guidelines for your business. This includes: 

  • Prohibiting sites: Prohibit employees from accessing sites that commonly expose computers to malware (such as social media applications). 
  • Changing passwords: Make it a requirement to change passwords on a regular basis.
  • Limiting use of work technology: Limit where and when employees can use devices that let them access private networks (such as their work computers).

Employees should also be held accountable if they attempt to circumvent any cyber security measures. 

5) Install Filters and Blocks 

While you can do your best to educate employees and help them recognize malware attacks, there's no guarantee that one won't slip past. That's why it's a good idea to set up filters. Considering that over 94% of malware attacks are delivered through email, you should set filters that recognize potentially dangerous attachments and send them straight to spam. You may also want to block certain websites (such as social media sites). 

6) Set Up Firewalls 

Firewalls can prevent unauthorized access to your computer network from both internal and external sources. Some of the main benefits of firewalls include: 

  • Monitoring website traffic
  • Filtering content
  • Sending alerts about viruses 

Over 90% of businesses value firewalls, demonstrating their important in the realm of cyber security. 

7) Get Rid of Old Materials 

On average, employees have access to over 11 million files. While most employees are trustworthy, it takes one individual to compromise an entire network. Oftentimes, employees target companies that they used to work at (generally after being fired). If you have to let an employee go, be sure to do the following:

  • Delete their passwords 
  • Collect their company IDs 
  • Delete any company accounts 

You should also clear old work computers before giving them to a new employee. 

8) Update Software 

Does your software email you every time it's due for an update? While it might be tempting to ignore this notification, it's important to update your software regularly. Updates are there for a reason — the software often identifies its own weaknesses, then sends out an update to help fix it. Failing to follow through with updates leaves you vulnerable. 

9) Install Multifactor Authentication 

Old-fashioned passwords are no longer enough to protect networks from external threats. In addition to passwords, you should ask your employees to install multifactor authentication. This requires them to verify their password on at least two different devices. 

10) Hire A Cyber Security Service 

Managing your security needs is practically a full-time job. From training your employees to installing security software, there's no shortage of tasks that need to be done for proper protection. Not to mention, you have to constantly look for updates and conduct data back-ups. Rather than try to do two jobs at once, many businesses turn to the help of cyber security services like SecPoint.