10 Best Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses
It is good news that small businesses can now compete favourably on the global stage; in fact, one of the good effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is the advantage that it did provide to small businesses to scale their customer and market base globally. But, unfortunately, the same benefits have also brought cyber attacks to growing businesses. Unfortunately, small Enterprises were unprepared for the spade of cyber attacks, e.g., ransomware and other cybersecurity challenges. Hence, I have compiled the following Cybersecurity tips for a small business which they can use to improve protection around their systems while growing their business.
Table of Contents
1. Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is an integral part of any cyber security strategy and should be conducted regularly to keep up with the ever-evolving cyber threats. As a small business, It will help your organizations identify essential cybersecurity requirements and understand its risk profile. Small companies, who may not have the resources or expertise to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment, must take extra due diligence when assessing their risk. Use Risk assessment to identify critical business assets or interfaces vulnerable to cyber-attacks and then implement the appropriate risk treatment measures.
A risk assessment will empower your business to focus on and prioritize risks pertinent to your business’s survival. Not all risks are worth your attention or are within your capacity to eliminate.
Once the risk assessment is complete, businesses should implement risk treatment strategies such as essential cybersecurity tools, employee training and regular security audits. By understanding their weaknesses and taking proactive steps to minimize risks, small businesses can protect themselves from severe cyber threats. In addition, by assessing the risks associated with your business systems and networks, you can ensure that your organization takes all necessary steps for a robust cyber security posture.
2. Use Strong Passwords
One of the most effective cybersecurity measures that small businesses can adopt as a defence against an increasing prevalence of cyber attacks is to utilize complex passwords, which can help safeguard data and systems against malicious attacks. Here are guidelines for a strong password
Having unique passwords for each account and service is highly recommended to reduce the blast radius effect in the event that a particular account is compromised. The use of password managers (e.g. Bitwarden, Password1 e.t.c.) should be implemented and encouraged in the business to avoid unnecessary password mismanagement or exposure when employees write down their passwords or reuse old passwords because it is convenient. We all love convenience only that the spade of accounts/credential compromise has mandated that we adopt inconvenient but far better business data protection. Every small business cannot afford any business disruption or cyber-criminal extortion.
An easy way to generate a strong password is through your password manager (if you decide to have one), and do ensure you test your password strength using password haystack. This will help you measure the adequacy of your password against brute-force attacks.
It is also advisable to explore Passwordless authentication if your application or website supports such technology.
3. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a practice where one uses multiple authentication methods in addition to the typical username and password. Such additional authentication like one-time passwords (OTPs), a physical authenticator like a key fob or USB drive biometrics, or authenticator apps that generate random Time-based One Time Password (TOTP) to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive company data and systems. MFA offers a more secure and reliable way to verify user identity and helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access by providing additional layers of authentication.
MFA is a must-have for small businesses looking for better protection from cyber threats. It is more reliable than 2FA and provides an extra layer of security that can’t be breached easily. In addition, by using this method, you can ensure that only authorized personnel have access to your systems and data.
4. Enable Firewalls
Firewalls are an essential component of cybersecurity and play a vital role in protecting small businesses from cyber attacks. By enabling firewalls, small businesses can ensure their networks are monitored for intrusions and any malicious activity. Firewalls protect from external threats such as hackers and malware by restricting access to their networks. Additionally, firewalls can also be used to detect internal threats such as rogue employees or malicious software. With properly implemented firewalls, businesses can protect themselves from all kinds of cyber threats.
Keeping your customers’ data secure is a primary concern when running a small business. To ensure the safety of your information, implementing a firewall is one of the best remedies. Firewalls act as a shield against malicious cyber-attacks, vigilantly monitoring and controlling all incoming and outgoing traffic.
First, businesses should identify the type of firewall they need, such as hardware, software, or cloud-based firewalls. Then, they should set up the firewall and configure it to suit their needs. This may include setting up rules for incoming and outgoing traffic and allowing or blocking specific IP addresses.
Implementing a firewall with Intrusion detection and prevention is essential to network security. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) monitor network traffic to identify malicious activity and alert administrators of potential security threats. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) take a more proactive approach by blocking malicious activity before it can take place. IDS and IPS systems are used to identify and block malicious activity, such as malicious code, denial of service attacks, and spoofing.
Finally, businesses should regularly monitor their firewall for any changes and update them as needed. By following these steps, small businesses can ensure that their networks are secure and protected from malicious actors.
For full recommendations on end-end network security for SMBs, do read Network Security For Small Business. for firewalls for your small business.
5. Use Antivirus Software & OS Updates
Antivirus Software is essential for any company’s cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world. It helps protect small businesses from cyber attacks, malware, and intrusions. With the rise in various cybercrime, it is more critical than ever for organizations to have the latest and most effective that automatically detects malicious activities and stop them before they cause significant damage to business system and data. It also helps organizations keep track of their network activity to identify potential security risks early on and take the necessary steps to prevent them.
Closely as crucial to your business besides malware protection is the need to apply Operating Systems (OS) updates, patches and upgrades on time. OS and applications are inherently targets of attacks, which applies to all OS out there. So at least ensure you apply security updates as soon as possible when released.
I recommend finding antivirus packages that offer multiple layers of protection for your small business devices (computer and Mobile) and data protection. Consolidation and central management of your business devices and systems protection will make it a little less complex and create the excellent visibility you need to keep your small business operations alive and secure.
6. Regularly Back Up Your Data
Data protection and Business Continuity as part of cybersecurity strategy are pivotal to small business survival. Cybersecurity is an essential component of any business’s digital infrastructure today. Unfortunately, cyber attacks, such as ransomware, are becoming increasingly common, and small businesses are particularly vulnerable. That’s why it’s crucial for large and small businesses to back up their data regularly.
By backing up your data and information regularly, you can ensure that your business can withstand and recover from cyber-attacks and any other unforeseen disasters or disruptions. An effective backup plan will enable you to restore your data quickly should the worst happen and help maintain business continuity. Backup activities should also involve secure storage of that backup data that is not on the current device been backed up. For example, you can use Network or Cloud storage to centrally backup and control access to the data.
In addition, make sure always to keep a copy of all your essential data stored securely offsite (e.g. specialized cloud). If you require assistance with your backup plan, please get in touch with me, and I will be happy to help.
Automating your backup and recovery plan for physical, virtual, and cloud backup, you can explore the solutions like Veeam, Acronis or Sync.com.
7. Use Encryption
Encryption is a process that scrambles data so that it can only be seen by authorized individuals who have the key, i.e. “keeping documents and sending a message in code.” Businesses can protect sensitive information from malicious actors by encrypting data at rest and in transit. As a business owner, you can rest assured that your critical business data remains confidential from unauthorized persons.
Also, this can be a form of protection against paying any ransom should the business systems be hit with a Ransomware attack, as the data is already encrypted. Hence the attacker’s threat of exposing your business if a ransom is not paid can be ignored. All you need to do is restore your system from the latest clean backup.
Furthermore, Suppose your organization is dealing with sensitive information sent over email. In that case, I will advise that you also employ email encryption solutions (like PGP) to ensure data confidentiality or eliminate any chances of data leaks.
8. Educate Your Employees
It is not enough to have a security system in place; it is equally essential to ensure that your employees are aware of the cybersecurity threats they may face and how to protect themselves. In addition, cybersecurity education is vital for small businesses and organizations as cyber attackers are constantly evolving their deceptive tactics — like those used for ransomware attacks through phishing emails that infiltrate businesses.
By educating employees on the various types of cyber-attacks, such as social engineering, small businesses can help protect their data from potential breaches. Essential cybersecurity topics should include understanding ransomware, phishing attacks, password management, encryption techniques, and other best practices for staying safe online. Additionally, it is essential to create a culture of cybersecurity awareness within the organization so that employees can recognize suspicious behaviours and activities online.
You can use the resources at Wizer and GCA for relevant security training for your employees and cybersecurity training for small business. Also, explore some free security messaging content on Native Intelligence.
9. Disconnect Unused Devices and Configurations
Information systems, including mobile hygiene, are one of the most effective methods of reducing the chances of cyber attacks on your small business. Disconnecting unused devices and services is an essential step in keeping small businesses safe from cyber attacks. It is important to be aware of the devices connected to the business’s network and any services or programs running in the background. This should also include mobile apps and installed applications on any devices involved in operating your business or carrying out business transactions. For instance, if USB is not required, disable it.
Additionally, secure wiping and disposal of unused devices can help protect sensitive data from being accessed by malicious actors or unauthorized persons who access abandoned or sold old laptops, USBs or external storage.
10. Utilize Network Segmentation
Network segmentation is an essential cybersecurity practice for small businesses. It helps create boundaries between different parts of the network, reducing or limiting the scope and impact of the cyber attack surface and preventing intrusions. For instance, segregation of your Physical security cameras amongst others from your data network is highly recommended. Segmentation also enables organizations to isolate critical resources, like servers and databases, from less-critical but more vulnerable user workstations. Disable the internet from whatever part of your business does not need to be exposed to the internet.
If you are working from home or running your business services in the same place as your home, then I recommend creating network separation immediately. Internet of Things enabled devices on your network are not that built with so much security hence can lead to compromise of your business. Layered network protection will help to protect your critical business assets from cyber-attacks while allowing users to do their work without worrying about their data’s safety.
Network segmentation also allows your IT administrators to monitor traffic flows within the network more effectively and identify any suspicious activities that could threaten the system’s security. This technique allows small businesses to maximize their chances of detecting and preventing malicious actions before they cause any real damage.
