Cybercrime has devastating effects. To put it into some perspective, it costs businesses around £30 billion every year, and this figure is rising. But, there are measures you can take to protect your business. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some essential tips for keeping your business safe from cybercrime.
Identify All Possible Threats
“Cyber Risk Reviews must consider IT in your facilities such as AirCon, Lifts, Doors, Alarms & CCTV, not just networks” – Cevn Vibert, Industrial Cyber Security Advisory Director at Vibert Solutions
The first step in protecting your business is to run a cybersecurity audit. This will not only allow you to see where you stand currently, but also identify threats that are putting your business at risk. There’s a lot to think about! Take into consideration both internal and external concerns. For instance, you do not know what sort of device an employee is using at home; if it is effected, it might cause harm.
You must follow several steps to prevent frequent cyber-attacks:
- Back up data regularly
- Install malware
- Ensure your password policy is effective (passwords shouldn’t be obvious, and should be stored away from the device)
- Protect your business against phishing attacks
However, it’s essential to be aware that not all cyber breaches come from distinct sources. So, it pays to stay up-to-date with the latest cyber threats! New variants on old scams are something to be aware of. From phishing attacks to cookie theft, the world of cybercrime is constantly evolving.
Make Cyber Security a Business Priority
“Don’t wait for an incident to occur, act now to protect the network and assets within it. Failure in compliance might have significant financial and reputational impacts on an organisation to a degree which they may not recover from” – Dan Driver, Head of Perception at Chemring Technology Solutions.
After your risk assessment, make a detailed security plan. Security is as much about people as it is technology! So, you must ensure that all employees are compliant to prevent cyber-attacks. Anyone who’s not on board could threaten the entire process!
Don’t assume your plan only applies to employees. All outside contractors and suppliers can also create a security risk. So, take extra care when sharing data with a third-party! Everyone associated with your organisation plays a vital role in keeping it safe. Keep on monitoring and testing security controls. That way, if you come across any abnormal activity, you can take action against it.
Leverage Existing Schemes
“The most important stuff isn’t complex. Getting the basics right with Cyber Essentials can greatly reduce the threats” – Richard Bach, Co-Founder & Director at XQ Cyber. The good news is, while cyber threats are continually evolving, so are the ways to prevent them.
Seers Cyber Secure can protect up to 80% of all attacks if used properly. It’s specifically tailored to SMEs, ensuring your business stays safe from cyber breaches. Plus, there are many other trusted solutions out there. For example, GCHQ Certified Training for awareness and application of cybersecurity can ensure you’re equipped to tackle any problems that may arise.
Assume You’ll Be Hacked
“Prepare and test a plan to identify, communicate and recover to ensure you can rapidly resume business with limited impact” – Sam Smith, Head of Digital Risk and Security at Cadent Gas Ltd. Cyber attacks are a bitter reality; it can happen anytime. However, it will be great to create a defensive plan against them. So, the intruders will have an idea that you are fully compliant and thinking a step ahead from them.
Ensure your business is cyber resilient by:
- Protecting all vital information
- Backing up any business-critical data
- Limiting the number of employees with administrative access
- Having an incident response plan
- Staying up to date with legal requirements
Taking this approach will not only make cyber-attacks mitigated but make you more equipped to deal with them if they do happen.
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