Published on 29 September 2021
The online world is a big and sometimes scary place, you could be opening an email, clicking the link for a cute cat video, and in the next second all of your data is gone and you are locked out of your computer.
Whether you are a large business or a small one, keeping your company secure when online is essential. Failure to ensure your organisation is protected when online increases the risk of data breaches, monetary losses, and potentially complete business closure.
Luckily there are a few ways to protect your business online, some of which you can do yourself:
The first half of 2021 saw that 94% of malware was distributed via phishing emails. Phishing emails remain the most common way for a business to have a cyber security breach, which is why educating your staff is the best way to tackle human error. The National Cyber Security Centre has put together a free e-learning kit for anyone looking to further educate their staff on not just phishing emails but other cyber security risks.
Another way to protect your business is to get Cyber Essentials certified. Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme to help protect your organisation against the most common cyberattacks. Bluebell IT Solutions are Cyber Essentials Plus accredited, which means we can help your company get certified, contact us today for further information.
Having strong, unique passwords for each of your logins is essential. This will ensure that if one of our accounts is compromised the others will still be secure. Using a phrase is an excellent way to ensure your password is long enough and that you will remember it. It can be difficult to memorise all of your passwords, so it can be tempting to write down your passwords, however, this is not a good idea. Use a password management tool like LastPass or Dashlane, these handy tools help you store your passwords securely.
It’s a pain when, at the end of your workday, you go to shut down your computer only to be asked to ‘Install updates’. It is tempting to hit ‘remind me later’ over and over, but that update is important. A software update covers everything from new features added to fixing minor bugs, and includes updated security features.
Cybercrime, like with most aspects of IT, is always evolving. As a result, companies like Microsoft and Apple are continually developing software updates to tackle and protect you against new threats; for example, WannaCry Ransomware spread in 2017. By avoiding installing these essential software updates it puts your devices at risk of a cyberattack. Cybercriminals can identify that your device’s security is more vulnerable than a fully updated device meaning they are more likely to target you.
A great way to ensure that you never miss an update is by turning on software update notifications. If you are interested in taking it further, consider a patch management solution.
Any wireless network is vulnerable to attack, especially open or public Wi-Fi. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a common method many businesses use to protect their data. A VPN keeps your online footprint hidden and allows you to send data safely over any Wi-Fi connection by encrypting the data. This prevents cybercriminals from accessing your data.
Most devices have some kind of endpoint security software already installed, but you may need more advanced security to keep your business safe online. A simple way to do this is to install a firewall. A firewall acts as the gatekeeper between your computer and the internet. However, it is important to remember that firewalls are not totally cyber breach-proof.
They are an excellent first line of defence, but you will need additional cyber security features to fully protect yourself online. There are many different types of cyber security packages and antivirus software available, but without the proper knowledge, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Outsourcing your IT is an excellent way to manage this – the right IT provider can support all your cyber security needs and much more.
Robust and reactive cyber security is not something a business can do on its own, you will most likely need IT support and a specialist in cyber security to keep your business totally secure and safe. Having proper IT support will cover many things within cyber security that you may not have thought of including disaster recovery and keeping up to date on software and patch updates for your devices and networks.
IT support gives you peace of mind that your data and business are secure online, which means you can focus more on what you do best: running your business. Bluebell IT Solutions can be that IT support company for you, catering to small and medium businesses we create tailored IT solutions centred around your business needs and finding the best solutions. Call us today on 0845 257 8010 to get a free security audit.
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