Despite the constant threat of a network security breach, far too many small business owners are ill-prepared to withstand the damage that a cyberattack brings. A staggering 43% of SMBs have no plan whatsoever to defend against or mitigate the effects of a security breach. Even worse, 60% of SMB owners do not acknowledge the risks in the first place.
Fortunately, there are a number of small-scale interventions you can take to help protect your assets.
Set Up Appropriate Employee Access
Not every employee needs access to every element of your network. Setting up user-defined roles can pay dividends in the long run. Take the time to make sure each employee has access to the systems they need in order to do their job, but restrict access to functions that fall outside their job role. This can help to mitigate human error.
Perform Regular Software Updates
We’ve all been subject to mandatory, automatic updates on our personal computers. Many people choose to turn off or delay those updates when it comes to their personal, home computer system. Those updates are essential for system security purposes, however, and they are doubly important in a professional capacity. They can help bolster system security against the ever-evolving world of malware.
Encrypt Sensitive Data
Never leave critical customer information or financials out in the open. Using an encryption method can help prevent potentially bad actors from utilizing your information should they get ahold of it. This is especially important if you are sending information across networks to clients, vendors, or other business partners.
Employ Email Filters
Phishing scams derive their power from convincing your employees that malicious emails are from a trusted source. On the surface, emails like this may look like they are from a known source when there may be subtle, telltale signs that they are not. An email filter can help catch fallacious pieces of mail, helping to eliminate employee error from the equation.
Educate Your Staff
They say that the best defense is an offense. The most surefire way to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks is to diligently train your staff in best practices. Employee awareness can go a long way in keeping your company safe from hackers and malware.
Enlist an Enterprise Solution
Cybersecurity threats are unfortunately common and incredibly varied in their method of attack. The average small business is extremely susceptible to attacks. Sometimes a small business owner can make all the right moves, employ industry best practices, and engage in proactive employee education and still incur a costly and damaging digital attack. Sometimes the only choice is to recruit a professional partner to help implement an enterprise security solution. Quentelle can help your small business set up security monitoring, network security, and email protection. Please contact us today to find out more about our services.