Considering the growing number of cyberattacks in the world today, it is only rational that every online business entity must, as a matter of precaution, integrate strong cybersecurity into its operations as a proactive measure against cyberattacks. Aside from the obvious reasons why you must be proactive against all forms of cyberattacks, there are other reasons ranging from legal, financial, etc.
It is common knowledge that most cyberattacks target the victim’s financial base, but a hack has other implications besides financial loss. Other losses associated with cyberattacks include loss of the company’s sensitive information, disruption in the company’s operations, loss of contacts and connections, and, most importantly, the company’s reputation.
Although the cybersecurity department of any company is expensive to manage, the cost of a breach can be too expensive. In the process of repairing the damages coursed by the hack, the victim will have to work on virtually all the areas of the cybersecurity infrastructures: the devices, the damaged systems and software, and the network. CyberGhost’s blog piece advises you on the best ways to improve cyber hygiene.
Top 8 Precautionary Measures Against Cyberattacks
1. Have a Backup Database
This is one of the most typical ways to protect your business against any form of cyberattack. That requires every business owner to look for a way to back up information in case of any loss emanating from a cybersecurity breach. You should back up only the important data before others can follow. There are several backup methods you can choose from:
• Daily backup.
• Weekly backup.
• Monthly backup.
• Annual backup.
Once in a while, go back to your backup storage and test if you can still assess those backed-up data. And make sure you use the external hard drive for your backups.
2. Protect your Device and Network
This is where you ensure that all your system security features are up to date. Also, ensure that your operating system and other protective security features are in auto-update mode. That way, you won’t have to worry about being unaware due to outdated security software.
3. Encrypt Vital information
It is essential to switch on network encryption while saving your data. And also, try to encrypt it when sending or storing it online. There are encryption tools that help you convert saved data into codes before sending it through an internet server. This method is like disguising the content of your parcel before sending it through a courier service.
This method has proven to be very effective in reducing the risk of tampering or theft. There are default tools to pull this off installed in every router. But you can still use external means by installing VPNs for the same purpose.
4. Leverage a Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Normalize using the multi-factor authentication method of verification. Multi-factor authentication is a popular security verification method that requires users to provide multiple verifications before accessing an account, data, or file.
This verification process may come in a two, three, or four factors authentication format. This format can also be used on any device: tabs and internet-enabled mobile phones. Applying multiple authentication codes is another way of providing additional security apparatus to the existing one(s).
5. Leverage Passphrase
Normalize using passphrases instead of the traditional password. Don’t get it confused; passphrases are almost the same as passwords, just that it comes with a series of meaningful words and characters that makes them look longer; the longer the passphrases, the more secure it is. These passphrases are very easy for humans to remember but hard for machines to crack. While creating a passphrase, you must ensure that they are:
• As long as you can remember. We recommend you stick to fourteen to sixteen characters.
• Make sure they are complex. Try including upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Hard to predict. While you are meant to form a sentence out of your passphrases, just make sure it is not too noticeable.
• not repeated. While coming up with the best passphrase, make sure you have not used it on several accounts already. This is because when the same passphrase is used, and someone happens to get hold of it, all other accounts will be vulnerable.
6. Monitor the Use of All IT Equipment
You must monitor every computer equipment, software, and tool across your office computer network. You must ensure they are safe to use and none comes from a forbidden source.
Also, don’t forget to remind your employees of the need to be cautious: you must agree on the best way to use a particular device, software, or program. You must agree on the device to connect to, the programs you run, or the public Wi-Fi network to connect to. Again, get rid of every software system or equipment you don’t use anymore, but before that, make sure you move all the sensitive data in it.
7. Monitor Unauthorised Access
Since no employee works in a place forever: they always come and go. Know who is leaving, and change every access code given to them. By doing this, you are taking precautionary measures against any cyberattack element–you can never tell where they intend to use it next.
8. Train your Staff on Online Security
We are in a world where technology trends are in constant transition. Since internet security tools are constantly introduced to the public, and hackers are always coming up with new ways to hack into their victim’s servers, it is necessary to get your staff acquainted with the new cybersecurity infrastructures. Conduct a training session for them to learn about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity.
Some of your primary concerns during this training session should be:
• How to recognize and prevent an impending cyber threat.
• How to come up with the perfect passphrase.
• Steps to take when attacked.
Conclusion
It can be disastrous when you become a cyberattack victim; this is even worse when it is a business. And since there has been a tremendous increase in cyberattacks, rationality demands that you step up your game: ahead of your attackers.
Aside from gathering relevant knowledge of modern cybersecurity, it is also essential you leverage the many tools out there designed for the same purpose. Finally, ensure that your system security features are up to date; it is the most fundamental of all the precautions.
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