Tip of the Week: Use These 7 Cybersecurity Basics

Cybersecurity is super important for any business today, and it can make the difference between a business staying safe or failing because of a cyberattack. While there are many things you need to do to protect your business, there are some key steps you can start with to keep it secure. Let’s go over what you should do.

How Can You Secure Your Business?

Set Up Strong Cybersecurity Defenses

Every business needs basic protections to stay safe. You should use firewalls to block unauthorized people from entering your network and use access controls to make sure only the right people can get to your data. You should also encrypt your data, which means scrambling it so even if hackers get in, they can’t read it.

Keep Your Software Updated

Hackers are always devising new ways to break into systems, so software companies create updates to protect against these attacks. You need to make sure all your software—apps, browsers, and operating systems—is updated regularly to block new threats.

Backup Your Data

To keep your data safe, use the 3-2-1 Backup Rule. This means keeping three copies of your data, using two different kinds of storage (like a hard drive and the cloud), and making sure at least one of those copies is stored somewhere offsite. Modern backup tools can do this automatically, making sure you always have the latest version of your data in case something goes wrong.

Use Strong Passwords and MFA

Passwords are a basic way to protect your accounts, but they need to be strong. Encourage your team to use unique, hard-to-guess passwords, and give them a password manager to help keep track of them. Also, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra step (like a code sent to your phone) to make sure your accounts are even more secure.

Train Your Team

It’s important for everyone in your business to understand good cybersecurity practices. Regular training will help your employees know how to spot threats like phishing and how to follow the right security rules. A well-trained team is one of the best ways to keep your business safe from hackers.

Limit Access to Important Data

Not everyone needs access to everything in your network. You should give your employees only the access they need for their jobs. This way, if a hacker breaks into one account, they can’t move around easily and steal more data.

Secure Mobile Devices

Mobile devices like phones and tablets are necessary for work today, so they need to be protected too. You can either provide your team with secure company-owned devices or allow them to use their own, but you’ll need to make sure these devices are protected with security controls to stop hackers from getting in.

Need Help with Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is like an iceberg—there’s a lot more going on under the surface than just the basics. If this feels like too much to handle, we’re here to help. Suffolk Computer Consultants can make sure your business is safe with all the cybersecurity protections you need.

Call us at 631-905-9617 to get started.