If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner who has just got your newest company off the ground then your next priority needs to be cybersecurity. If you don’t take the proper efforts to protect your business against the threats of hackers then you could see your dream company vanish before your eyes. Today, AngelytiX shares some cutting edge tips and resources to help you avoid cyberattacks, as well as telling you what to do if you fall victim.
Dangers of Cybercrime
It is common for small business owners to sweep data security under the rug. Thinking that issues will not happen to each of us is a mistake. Small companies are constantly being hit by cyber attacks because of a known lack of proper protections.
Failure to take proactive steps to avoid cybercrime could mean the end of your business. Any customer information, from credit card numbers to email addresses can be used by hackers to take out fraudulent loans, send phishing emails, and many other dark deeds, and if customers catch wind that they are in trouble because you were not careful with their data then they may run to your competition. There is also a huge financial impact. The costs necessary to repair your reputation, eliminate any current viruses, and patch vulnerabilities in your systems could amount to over a million dollars.
Proactive Cybersecurity
The best way to avoid cybercrime is to put the proper precautions in place now. Start by looking into a platform like Tausight that’s specially designed to protect your data by employing the first real-time, situational PHI awareness platform.
Next, use complex passwords for all of your business systems that include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. The passwords should be updated every several months. After that, you need to install antivirus software on all computers and run scans every week so you can identify any current threats and keep your system clean. It is imperative that you update your antivirus software whenever a new version becomes available because the newest software will stop the most current threats.
You should also password protect important files that you send digitally. Online conversion tools make it easy to switch between file types, so you can convert any file to a PDF and password protect it by selecting Protect under Tools, and then selecting Encrypt with Password. When you receive a password-protected file, enter the password and simply turn PDF to Word files using the converter by adding the file to the drop zone and selecting Word as your file type. Then you can edit freely and be confident in knowing that no one was able to access the file in transit.
If you are an entrepreneur who likes to work out in public then you must be extra cautious about common scams, including those that involve public Wi-Fi. Hackers can set up fake networks that look like the real deal, but if you connect then you are really connecting directly to the hacker and they can steal your information. If you do work from a coffee shop or restaurant, then make sure to ask an employee for the correct network.
What to Do If You Do Fall Victim
It will be much easier and more affordable to be proactive about cybercrime so you aren’t rushing to fix the problem after the fact. It is good to know what you’ll need to do ahead of time, and you can do that by creating an IT security recovery plan. Essentially, this is the routine you will follow if you fall victim to cybercrime, and it could include identifying the threat, determining which systems you’ll need to recover first, and assigning specific team members to certain tasks so the recovery effort goes smoothly.
Beyond the steps of your recovery plan, you should also make an effort to contact any customers who were affected by the data breach to apologize and provide a consolation, such as an offer for free antivirus software or a discount on a future order. It also helps to maintain precise records and demonstrate professionalism by providing invoices, which can be generated using an invoice template out there – for free!
Importance of Cybersecurity Practices
As you can see, cybersecurity cannot be left to the wayside. Be vigilant about security practices, and use any free tools at your disposal to protect your business and your customers from hackers. It’s important not to be scared away from technology by these cybersecurity issues, but it is equally important that you are vigilant about protecting everything you have built in your business. You and your customers will appreciate it in the long run.
AngelytiX acts as a combination of business coaches and consultants – guiding/teaching wherever possible but able to step in and do as necessary. Call 310-955-1369.
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