Security has always been a concern in the business world but never more so than in today’s social media age. Cybercrime is on the rise with new threats constantly being developed, and cyber criminals will target businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Fortunately, there are always ways to stop these threats in their tracks and methods for enhancing your business security to protect your company, your staff, and your customers. So, if you want to improve the security of your business but you are not sure how to go about doing this then read on for a few tips.
Upgrade Physical Security
While a lot of the focus will be placed on improving your digital security, you should not forget to upgrade your physical security too as this will still be an area for concern. There are many different ways that you could do this with a few of the best being:
- Keyless entry
- CCTV cameras
- Motion lights
- Intruder alarms
- Upgrading doors, windows, and locks
- Shredding important documents
- Security guards
Password Setting
One of the simplest ways to improve your business security is with password setting. Every password that is set should be something that is random and complex and changed periodically to stop outsiders from gaining access to important data. One of the main reasons that people do not do this is because it can be hard to remember so many passwords, but a password manager can make this much easier.
Two-Factor Authentication
Another way to boost security when it comes to logins is to enable two-factor authentication – this involves adding another layer of security before allowing someone to log in, such as registering a phone number.
Restricted Access
A smart business owner will also use restricted access to determine who can and cannot access sensitive information. Not every employee will need access to certain data and the more people that have access, the higher the risk. Different privilege levels should be set up for different job roles with people only having access to the data that they need to access for their job.
Use A Firewall
Firewalls are vital for protecting your computer from threats from the internet by acting as a gatekeeper. A firewall monitors and controls network traffic and can be used to prevent the spread of attacks like viruses. Make sure that you have a firewall in place and that it is set up properly in order to fully protect your business from online threats.
VPNs
Following on from this, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network which can be useful for making secure connections across office locations and remote employees.
When choosing a VPN service, make sure to read reviews to find the unique features you’re looking for.
Learning & Educating About Scams
Hackers are always developing new scams to attack targets and it is essential that you and your team are aware of what these threats are and how they can be avoided. There are a few important ones to be aware of but most centre around phishing and spear phishing – these usually involve trying to convince a computer user to share important details on what appears like a genuine site but is not. Training can help your staff to easily spot scams and take steps to avoid them.
Privacy Plan
Leading on from this, if your team use their own devices at work, and share posts on social media from these devices while representing the company, then you need to have a privacy plan in place which will protect sensitive business data. You will also need to educate your team on how they can use their devices safely especially when they are connected to public Wi-Fi.
Upgrading
It is also important to keep everything on the computers as up to date as possible as there are often new security features introduced to help you to stay secure. As an example, there were recently a number of Kubernetes security concerns which were hugely worrying for business, but the latest release resolved these issues with new security features and critical security patches. This ensures that your clusters are configured for maximum security and will allow you to work with confidence.
Anti-Virus Software
High-quality anti-virus software is also an absolute necessity, and this should be kept up to date at all times with regular scans being carried out on every single device. This will protect you against the latest threats and provide important peace of mind.
Encryption
There have been so many high profile data leaks over the last few years which is a real cause for concern for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Data encryption is a smart move because this ensures that only those that are authorised to view the data are able to do so.
Backup
It is also crucial that you are able to back up your business data to an external source. This ensures that if there is a security breach or if important data is damaged in any way then you can quickly make a recovery and keep your customer information secure. Backups should be scheduled automatically as otherwise, it can be hard to remember to do yourself.
Smart Social Media Usage
Social media is a great tool for businesses to use, but it can also be a dangerous platform and another area that is targeted by cybercriminals. Staff should avoid sharing too much personal information on their social media accounts, and it is important to be aware of scams that appear on these platforms too.
Host Regular Meetings
Cybersecurity needs to become a priority in your business. One of the best ways to achieve this is to host regular meetings where you can review security processes and make sure that everyone is happy and confident in how they can stay safe and secure while at work. Often an issue with security is not down to a lack of knowledge but employee negligence. Regular meetings should always help to keep security at the forefront of employees’ minds.
Security is a major issue in today’s social media age, and it needs to be an area that all businesses carefully consider. The above strategies should help you to enhance your company’s physical and digital security which should stop any breaches from occurring while also providing you with peace of mind knowing that you are well protected.