Top 10 Ways to Improve Cyber SecurityAfter 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. 1) Back-Up Your DataAbout 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 InformationEncryption 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 EmployeesOver 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 GuidelinesDid 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:
Employees should also be held accountable if they attempt to circumvent any cyber security measures. 5) Install Filters and BlocksWhile 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 FirewallsFirewalls can prevent unauthorized access to your computer network from both internal and external sources. Some of the main benefits of firewalls include:
Over 90% of businesses value firewalls, demonstrating their important in the realm of cyber security. 7) Get Rid of Old MaterialsOn 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:
You should also clear old work computers before giving them to a new employee. 8) Update SoftwareDoes 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 AuthenticationOld-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 ServiceManaging 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. |