Almost every industry has suffered security breaches in one form or another. Small businesses are more likely to be attacked by hackers or cybercriminals, because they don’t spend as much on security and often don’t fix issues that are otherwise preventable. Backdoor attacks, where hackers use malware and other means to find security vulnerability to get unauthorized access to systems and devices, are getting more common each year. In this post, we are discussing cybersecurity measures that can specifically help smaller enterprises. 

Start by training your employees

Employees are eventually handling everything – from IP cameras and systems, to networked devices, computers, and servers. They are on the frontline of managing security concerns and they need to know about the common threats. For instance, ask these basic questions – 

• Are your employees using a password manager?
• Do they know what it means to practice safe browsing?
• Are they aware when to use a VPN?
• Do employees know about creating strong passwords?
• Do they know when and how to report incidents?

Focus on extra security

Multifactor authentication is another aspect that businesses need to take note of. For selected users and privilege accounts, just strong passwords are not enough. An additional security question, and use of biometrics, can be used to increase security. It is also wise to place all networked devices behind firewalls, and also, where required and possible, using network segmentation is critical. Network segmentation is also called a firebreak, which basically segments the network into subnetworks. If one is infected with malware or there is a security breach, compromise will not affect other subnetworks. 

Do the basics

1. Change all default usernames and passwords immediately after product is deployed. 
2. Remove all outdated and unwanted software and apps from devices. 
3. Ensure that all software and firmware are updated to the latest versions. 
4. Consider lockout feature for accounts. 
5. Make sure that everything is backed up. Take frequent backups, so that data can be restored. 

Final word

Cybersecurity requires enterprises to come together and work towards preventing a security breach. Do your homework if yours is a small business that hasn’t taken enough measures already. Keep in mind that the consequences, or the possible effects of a breach or data theft, can be severe and beyond financial losses. It is also wise and important to engage ethical hackers or experienced security experts to find flaws within systems and networks, so that vulnerabilities can be fixed in time.