Tip of the Week: 7 Cybersecurity Basics You Can’t Do Without

Business cybersecurity is increasingly important for every organization in operation today, to the point where it could very well be the difference between your business’ survival or failure. While extensive things must be accomplished to ensure your overall business continuity, you have to start somewhere.

Let’s review some of the most essential things you can—and need to—do to keep your business secure.

What Do I Need to Do to Secure My Business?

Modern business owners must do several things to protect their businesses from cybersecurity issues.

Deploy Cybersecurity Protections

At the very least, you must have baseline defenses to remain secure. You need to protect your network by using firewalls to keep out unwanted, unauthorized traffic and keep your data (and your place of business) safe by using various access controls to authenticate those attempting to access it. All data should also be encrypted, so even if it is accessed, it is illegible to the intruder.

Keep Everything Updated

Software of all kinds, from applications to browsers to operating systems, must receive updates to prevent existing attacks and be more likely to block new threats. Such attacks are constantly developed, creating an arms race between cybercriminals and software developers. You need to make sure your systems are kept up-to-date to keep up.

Maintain a Data Backup

We recommend you follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule: keep at least three copies of your data in at least two different storage mediums and at least one copy securely offsite. Modern backup solutions can assist with this task, automatically backing up your data throughout the day to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date data possible.

Enforce Password Standards (and Use MFA)

Passwords are one of the most basic security features. That said, they cannot be treated casually. You need to strongly encourage your team to create the strongest passwords they can and provide them with a standalone password manager to help keep them straight.

In addition to these password practices, multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be implemented wherever available. This dramatically increases account security and only takes a moment more out of the day.

Train Your Team

You and your team need to follow many security practices and principles. The thing is, you all need to know them first. This means you must invest in team training that teaches and reinforces the crucial lessons that will protect your business at every level.

Utilize the Principle of Least Privilege

Nobody in the business realistically needs access to everything on the network, and allowing this kind of access also allows cybercriminals to peruse your entire network at their leisure. However, by restricting access for your employees based on their needs, you also restrict any cybercriminal who might breach their accounts.

Have a Plan for Mobile Device Use

Mobility is a bona fide business need nowadays, so your team members will need a mobile device. Businesses have a few options to consider: either provide team members with designated company-controlled devices or utilize a Bring Your Own Device policy, which co-opts an employee-owned device for work purposes.

If This Seems Like a Lot, Trust Us to Help With the Rest

You know how icebergs only reveal a small portion of their total mass, with much more hidden under the water? Cybersecurity is the same way—there’s so much more than just the basics to attend to.

That’s where our team at Washington Works comes in. We can help you secure your business with the cybersecurity precautions you need to operate in the modern world. So, in addition to the seven cybersecurity tips we covered above, we have a bonus one for you:

Get a consultation by giving us a call today at 301-571-5040.