Given the number of news and headlines about cyberattacks, there are many potential weak spots that cybercriminals can exploit to compromise company security.
Smaller businesses often fall victim to cybercrime. This is because smaller companies often don’t have extensive resources or tech teams at their disposal. As a result, they may have weaker protection against cyber threats. Then it is natural that 88% of small business owners fall victim to ransomware or other types of cyber attacks.
Yet, even the largest and most well-known companies can fall victim to cybersecurity incidents. In fact, with three billion accounts compromised, Yahoo has experienced one of the greatest data breaches in history.
You need to take some precautions to prevent your business from becoming another entry on the list of cybercrime victims.
Here are five common cybersecurity weak spots that might require your attention:
Unsecured Networks
Unsecured networks are one of the top weaknesses of businesses that make them vulnerable to hackers.
Companies should take steps to secure their networks from the beginning. Business owners should consider investing in tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS) and firewalls to track network traffic patterns and prevent unauthorized access. Also, be sure to enable encryption for your WiFi.
Here you can read some easy steps to secure your business internet connection.
Weak Digital Communications
Businesses that don’t take proper precautions regarding their communication channels can have a wide range of vulnerabilities. There are many ways that hackers can target your business through unsecured channels, such as email and social media.
One of the most common ways is through a phishing scam. That type of scam happens when someone tries to trick you into giving up your login information by sending you an email or message. Sometimes, these messages look like they came from a credible company.
Even if you don’t fall for the phishing scam, hackers could still access your company’s data through other unsecured channels. For example, if they’re able to hack into your email server, they could steal all your customers’ information. These tips will help you with your email security.
Using Weak Passwords
One of the main reasons businesses experience data breaches is weak passwords. Simple passwords pose a severe security risk to all users. Therefore, companies should exercise special caution as they hold sensitive customer information.
Your best option for maintaining the security of your corporate accounts is having a password manager. Password managers are easy to use, and every employee can learn how to use them. A password manager offers a safe way to store, manage, and distribute passwords.
Additionally, businesses should put multi-factor authentication on accounts for an extra degree of security.
Insufficient Cybersecurity Strategy
A cyberattack on a computer, on average, occurs every 39 seconds. One of the reasons behind this is that many companies struggle to develop competent cybersecurity plans. They don’t consider it important enough or don’t give it enough attention.
To have strong cybersecurity in your business, start by identifying the current digital situation. From there, you can develop a plan to mitigate those risks.
Train your staff on best practices for cyber security and track for potential threats. By doing so, you can start building a secure foundation that will help you navigate this ever-changing landscape. People that receive online safety training recognize possible dangers in advance, so investing in the cyber-education of your employees is crucial.
Not Doing Frequent Backups
Protecting your business data requires regular backups. They should be taken regularly and stored offsite in case of an emergency. Backup software can be tailored to fit the needs of each organization, but it should have scalability built into its design so that it can grow with the business over time.
The most crucial part of any backup plan is to keep it automated. When you automate your backups, you don’t have to remember to do it regularly. That way, cybercriminals don’t even stand a chance to use any possible bugs to their advantage. It’s a simple yet important step in improving your business’s cyber security.
Having Outdated System
When software is out of date, it can become vulnerable to hackers. For example, it could be susceptible to malware or viruses that can steal personal information or cause damage to the system.
Outdated software also increases the risk of computer crashes. When the system is not running smoothly, users will notice delays in page load and errors in navigation. As a result, users will likely become frustrated and may leave the system altogether. Keeping your software up-to-date can reduce these risks and ensure that your site stays secure.
Conclusion
To avoid cybersecurity risks, you should always practice caution and follow best practices. Cybercriminals are persistent and resourceful, but as long as you’re vigilant, you can reduce the likelihood of a breach and keep your data safe for this year and beyond.