Understanding and training your staff about cyber hygiene may be one of the most important things a business owner can do. It can help your company run more efficiently, make the hiring and firing process easier, and most importantly, protect your data from nefarious criminals.

But you are busy.  You don’t have time to stop and consider the benefits of being cyber smart.  That’s why we are going to break it down into 10 easy points.

10 Ways To Be Cyber Smart

1. Understand and train your staff about cyber hygiene.

This is one of the most important things you can do as a business owner, as it can help your company run more efficiently, make the hiring and firing process easier, and protect your data from criminals.

Here’s what we see most often.  A business owner gets it.  They use strong passwords, always update their computers and other devices, use multifactor authentication and have processes in place to protect their devices.  But, they fail to train their staff to do the same. 

We suggest creating a process for training a new employee as part of the onboarding process.  But what about the employees you already have?  It’s time to call a meeting and start some in-house training to make sure everybody is on board.

2. Set strong cybersecurity protocols for your employees.

This could include using strong passwords for all accounts, enabling two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts, using cybersecurity software or tools to detect potential threats, and educating employees on the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or opening unknown files.

Having processes and protocols in place will help your staff see that cyber hygiene is a priority in your business.

3. Secure all devices used by employees in the workplace.

Whether these are desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones, they should be password-protected and locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access. In addition, the company should maintain a user password for each computer as well.  This will allow you access to the computer should you need to let an employee go.

4. Regularly backup your company data, both on-site and off-site.

A backup helps ensure that you have a copy of your data in case of a security breach or other issue that could compromise it. Unfortunately, setting up a backup system isn’t enough.  We often see companies with a backup system that has not been backed up in months.  That’s one of the things our company helps with.  We not only set up a system for backing up all data but also monitor it to make sure it is running every single time.

5. Minimize the number of people who have access to sensitive information about your business operations and customer data.

Restricting access is an important part of cybersecurity, as this limits the potential damage from any cybersecurity incident. How are you currently tracking who has access to data in your company?  Not having a process for this is one of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make.

6. Monitor your cybersecurity systems

Monitor your cybersecurity systems closely for potential issues and implement safeguards as soon as possible to protect critical business functions against cyber threats. Doing so can help minimize the impact of any cybersecurity incident and may even prevent it from happening in the first place. If you don’t have an internal IT department, you may want to consider outsourcing.  An outsourced IT company can help you see threats before they become a problem. 

7. Engage with cybersecurity experts to help safeguard your business against potential cyber threats.

Whether you work with a cybersecurity firm or hire an in-house cybersecurity expert, having knowledgeable professionals on your side can go a long way in protecting your company from cyber risks. If you are a small to medium-sized company, you may want to start with an outsourced IT company that can help you recognize when it is time to consult a cybersecurity expert.  Our team works with companies to help them stay cyber smart and avoid the pitfalls that might put you in danger.

8. Regularly review cybersecurity policies and protocols for updates and improvements.

Business owners are busy running their businesses.  They have to make sure customers are happy, keep employees happy, and make sure they are maintaining good financial health.  Unfortunately, very few business owners take the time to create even the most basic cyber hygiene protocols. This puts their company at risk and can even make the business run less efficiently.

Keeping up with the latest cybersecurity trends and developments will ensure that your business is always taking proactive steps to protect itself against potential threats.

9. Stay informed

Stay informed about cybersecurity news and trends by regularly reading cybersecurity blogs, articles, and other resources. This will help you stay ahead of any potential threats to your company’s data security, as well as keep you abreast of best practices for keeping your business safe online.

10. Train Your Staff

We know, we already said this, but it’s that important. Invest in cybersecurity education for your employees, both new and current staff members. By equipping your team with the knowledge and skills needed to protect your business from cybersecurity risks, you can help ensure the long-term success and security of your company.

By following these tips, you can help create a cyber security-savvy workplace that is better equipped to protect itself against the ever-changing landscape of online threats.

If you want to learn more about cybersecurity for small businesses or if any of this seems overwhelming to you, give BL Technical a call at (410) 941-6164. We can help!