With 2023 just a couple of weeks away, now is the perfect time to start making resolutions and plans for small business owners.
As we continue to connect multiple devices and network them, the more possible entry points attackers can utilize to gain access to our data.
To support this, Gartner analysts forecast that by 2023 there will be 43 billion Internet of Things (IoT-connected gadgets across the globe).
Now more than ever, it is crucial to implement adequate security measures and best practices. Below are our top 10 cyber security tips that small business owners should consider when creating their New Year’s Resolutions for 2023:
1. Regular Updates:
Ensure regularly updating your Anti-Virus software throughout the year and scanning your computers for any malicious threats that could put your business at risk. Keeping up to date with the latest security fixes can help protect against data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other security threats.
2. Two-Factor Authentication:
Implement two-factor authentication for company accounts and devices to increase security against hackers and phishers. Using two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection since a password alone may not be enough in today’s world of digital threats.
3. Employee Education:
Educate employees on cyber safety by introducing a clear online behavior policy and up-to-date information about digital threats and scams. Make sure they understand the risks associated with unsecured connections or clicking on unknown links from untrusted sources, which can lead to malware infections or data loss within just a few minutes!
4. Data Backup:
Regularly back up important data to ensure you can still access it in case of an attack or system failure.
This is essential in protecting your business from costly disasters resulting from cyber breaches, which could leave you without access to important customer records or financial documents that are crucial for running operations smoothly!
5. Password Review:
Reassess the passwords used across devices and accounts, replacing weak ones with strong, unique combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters that are difficult to guess or crack.
This simple strategy will make it much harder for criminals to gain access to your system through brute force attempts at guessing passwords since they won’t be able to guess even if they have all the time in the world trying!
6. Log Out Completely:
Ensure every employee completely logs out after using any device containing sensitive information or working on confidential projects within the business, as leaving them logged in is an invitation for hackers to gain access to company data.
7. Keep Software Updated:
Keep software up-to-date with the latest security patches to eliminate any vulnerabilities posed by outdated versions of programs or tools used in everyday operations at work because this is usually where most attackers target when looking for weaknesses within companies’ systems or networks!
8 Avoid Suspicious Links:
Do not click on suspicious links through emails, websites, or text messages, as these can be potential sources of malware that can infect the computer systems in your office if clicked on with intent to harm or steal information from your business’s infrastructure.
9 Use VPNs:
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting from outside networks like public Wi-Fi hotspots so that all internet traffic remains private between the VPN server and user devices no matter where they are located worldwide, saving you from possible frauds via unsecured networks, which can lead to identity theft or data leakage incidents within minutes!
10 Hire Expert Help:
Hire Gulf South Technology Solutions – Baton Rouge’s leading managed IT provider – who will help secure your business’ technology needs while also giving you peace of mind knowing that everything related to cyber security is taken care of correctly!
The experienced technicians at Gulf South Technology Solutions will provide customized solutions tailored specifically for your small business. We can even provide ongoing support to guarantee maximum protection against cyberattacks all year round!
Visit our co-managed IT services page to learn more or complete the form below for a free risk assessment:
