Cyber security is the process of protecting your business’ systems, devices, data, and networks against cyber attacks.
You see, computers are ubiquitous. We use them for work, play, and personal or family management – we even carry them around in our pockets in the form of smartphones.
This ubiquity has introduced cyber crime, and companies can now lose millions of dollars.
As a small business owner, safeguarding against cyber crime with cyber security measures is an essential part of protecting the future of your business. The prospect of implementing those measures can be daunting, though, so let’s break down the information all small business owners should know about cyber security.
It encompasses many different actions and the optimal combination of measures will be different from business to business. The one thing that’s always true is that every business, big or small, needs some kind of cyber security strategy.
More broadly, every business should consider information security a top priority.
What is Information Security?
Information Security is protecting your assets – not just from attackers invading the network, but also from natural disasters, vandalism, loss, or misuse. Cyber security is an integral part of a larger information security strategy.
When developing an appropriate cyber security plan, it is imperative to know what kinds of attacks your business might face. There are different cyber attacks that hackers might use but here are some of the most common:
- Phishing: The use of legitimate-looking websites as a means to gain access to sensitive information.
- Malware (Malicious Software): Programs that are meant to cause damage to the targeted computer or provide unauthorized access to an attacker. This includes ransomware.
- DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): The intentional overloading of a server with requests with the intent to shut it down.
Considering these attacks and others that hackers use, there are some basic things that you can do to ensure a best-practices level of security:
- Apply patches and updates to your systems
- Use strong passwords with multiple words and characters
- Use an antivirus
- Don’t download software from unknown sources
- Do not open email attachments from unknown senders
- Only connect to secure networks
Depending on the characteristics of your business, you might be more vulnerable to one of these attacks than others. Accordingly, you’ll have to tailor your cyber security to the specific needs and weaknesses of your business to keep your systems secure.
How Can You Make Sure Your Systems Are Secure?
Eugene Spafford once said:
“The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards – and even then, I have my doubts.”
Defining the exact point at which you can be considered secure presents a bit of a challenge. No single activity or action will make you secure in every situation.
Although you may never get to a state that you can definitively call “secure,” you can take steps in the right direction.
Of course, this is not a realistic option for any business. You can strike a balance between security and usability. We need to weigh the risks and decide what level of risk we are willing to accept and mitigate, and how.
For help with implementing a cyber security strategy, consider reaching out to experts.
911 PC Help is here to make your cyber-security process manageable. At 911 PC Help, we offer Managed IT Services and IT Project Management Services.
Reach out by calling 415-800-1130 for clicking here to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help protect your business!