The term ‘cyber hygiene’ has proven that IT systems are not much different than humans when it comes to the importance of protecting health and safety. In short, cyber hygiene refers to the consistent implementation of cybersecurity best practices to ensure proper security and handling of your networks and critical data at all times. Whether you have an independent dental practice storing patient medical and payment data, or a construction company with several offices throughout Florida that send and share project files or invoices from vendors, cyber hygiene should be a priority.
Without a strong security foundation, your business will be at a greater risk of downtime and revenue loss, ultimately affecting your overall success. The good news is, establishing data backups and continuity plans can be accomplished by working with a reputable MSP.
Cyber-Hygiene Best Practices:
1. Employ Multi-Factor Authentication
We all know that using a password does not always get the job done when it comes to data protection. In fact, organizations should never rely on passwords alone to protect their important data because they have become too easy for cybercriminals to hack. Employing multi-factor authentication for your accounts is a great cyber hygiene practice that helps maintain the strongest security for your business. This way, every user will have to verify their identity by using one or more additional verification techniques, such as answering a security question, using face or voice recognition, or entering a one-time password sent via text or email.
2. Maintain Virus Protection
Protect your business with trusted antivirus software on every computer and device used throughout your company. Smaller organizations tend to skip investing in malware or virus protection, incorrectly thinking a small company wouldn’t be a cybercriminal’s target. But that organization would be wrong! For small to medium-sized businesses, the need is even more crucial because cybercriminals have increased their focus on smaller organizations in recent years. So, it’s important to select the most advanced antivirus and malware software and make sure it’s installed and utilized on every device.
3. Practice Risk Management
Risks will always exist in the world of cybersecurity, and it is important for you and your team to know them and understand them well. Risk management is crucial for any cybersecurity strategy because it empowers businesses with the necessary tools to be able to identify and deal with potential risks. Furthermore, risk management will help prepare you and your team to make important decisions in times of security crisis.
4. Stay Protected While Connected
Many companies across the country have continued to work from home for the past few years, and it is a trend that we believe is here to stay. One of the best ways to protect a network for remote employees is by using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs create secure connections that encrypt information so that it is unseen as it travels. As a result, hackers will have a much harder time trying to access sensitive company data.
5. Perform Regular Data Backups
Along with hardware issues, power failures and human error, malware attacks are recognized as one of the leading causes of data loss for businesses. For example, ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files in an organization that hackers use to later blackmail companies into paying large amounts of money to get their data back. By adding routine data backups to your cyber hygiene checklist, you can save your business a great deal of time and money by avoiding a potential ransomware attack.
Let BrightLink Technology Safeguard Your Business
As you can see, cyber hygiene practices help businesses in a variety of ways. In return, when organizations neglect their cyber hygiene, they are bound to encounter a number of harmful and costly consequences. As reliance on technology continues to grow, businesses need a strong team of cybersecurity experts who can handle cyber threats and ensure good cyber hygiene practices.
If you have any questions regarding our managed IT services in Jacksonville, reach out to us today!