Hackers Stay Away from Difficult Targets: Prevent Cybercriminals from Destroying Your Business

Size Doesn’t Matter: Hackers Attack Businesses of All Sizes

No matter the size of your business, hackers will always target your systems once they sniff weaknesses in your IT security.

Hackers would love the challenge of infiltrating large organizations, but they will also go after small and medium enterprises if they know they can get something valuable like sensitive patient information from clinics and hospitals.

Here are important tips to prevent hackers from destroying your business:

Train Your Staff Properly and Consistently

From managing passwords to regulating incoming emails, your staff should be aware that cybersecurity is a team effort and not solely the responsibility of your IT staff.

Everyone, no matter what their role is in your company, must know their responsibilities and be fully aware of the risks. Whether it’s the manager or the intern, he or she must learn the proper protocols to ensure the safety of your business.

From not opening suspicious emails to not inserting flash drives to office computers, you must raise your staff’s awareness on important cybersecurity practices as well as the latest cyberattacks.

If you must, find time to conduct a series of training sessions and quiz them. Give them assignments and make time for interactive projects. Keep them mindful of the regulations that they must comply with and their grave consequences if they act poorly in this area.

Send your employees a message that you take cybersecurity seriously, and they must understand that this is a shared responsibility.

And this shouldn’t be a one-off! If your IT manpower isn’t stretched too thin, periodically conduct refresher training sessions. This investment can save you money in the long run.

If you think you’d struggle to conduct this on a regular basis, now might be the time to partner with a remote IT staff to assist you with your IT needs.

Use Strong Passwords (and Don’t Share Them with Anyone Else!)

If you follow the first step and everyone in your company takes their training to heart, then this second tip only serves as a reminder. This tip is still one of the simplest yet most overlooked ways of protecting your business from hackers.

Don’t take this the wrong way, we’re not accusing you or one of your employees of having a hacker friend. However, it’s best to err on the side of caution. In the first place, sharing sensitive information like passwords is a major no-no in any business whether you belong to healthcare, finance, or just about any industry.

Additionally, don’t write your passwords on post-it notes, stick them on your computers, and then leave them there when you’re done for the day.

The majority of your employees might still be working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so make sure that they don’t carry this habit with them once they return to the office.

Otherwise, see: Tip no. 1 …

Add Extra Steps for Signing In to Accounts

A security method called multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires a user to verify his or her identity through two or more ways. This method can be implemented in servers, desktops, and various applications you use at work.

And if your setup is like most companies, collaborative tools such as G Suite are part of your daily process. G Suite is already equipped with a 2-step verification system to provide you with an extra layer of security.

If you aren’t using G Suite yet, a certified G Suite reseller can help you choose the right plans that perfectly fit your business needs.

If all of these sound like a lot of work, then that’s a good indicator that possible attackers will have a hard time bypassing your work accounts.

Invest in the Correct Software Tools

There are already thousands of software tools in existence. Choosing the right tools can keep your business safe from malicious threats. Always be on the lookout for suspicious applications popping up all over the Internet.

And if you’re sure that you already have the right software tools, make sure to constantly update them!

Businesses who don’t practice constant software updates are highly vulnerable to attacks. Hackers can use this as an opportunity to hijack your outdated systems.

Updates are there to fix bugs on your devices, add new features, and remove obsolete ones. Besides getting your software to run better, updates also reduce security risks to mitigate attacks and other vulnerabilities.

It has become our habit to simply ignore software updates. Next time you’re tempted to click “Remind me later,” remember that hackers are always lurking and the simple act of updating your software tools can have a tremendous effect on your business.

Collaborate with a Reliable IT Service Provider

In this technological age, hackers are getting more innovative in relentlessly attacking business vulnerabilities.

Managed IT service providers (MSPs) have highly trained personnel who are always up to date with the latest trends.

Outsourcing your IT needs will not only free up your time and budget significantly, but it can also provide robust protection against hackers who are constantly finding new ways to penetrate your systems.

Having robust protection from hackers out to steal your data, in addition to guaranteed real-time support 24/7 in case a critical concern arises, are only some of the benefits you will enjoy if you pick the right MSP to partner with.

Make Your Security So Tough, Hackers Simply Stay Away

Predators do not attack something that they deem strong—something that can fight back and even compromise them.

100% infallible security won’t be available anytime soon, but adhering to simple yet effective steps can go a long way.

When you have…

✓ employees well educated in cybersecurity,
✓ secure software tools,
✓ and a reliable IT staff,

you can keep hackers at bay and even grow your business better than ever.

Get protected now and stave off hackers.