Effective cyber security solutions are critical for protecting your business online. On one hand, you know that safeguarding your business matters—but on the other, you might have some lingering questions:
- What exactly does cyber security mean?
- What measures do you need to take to secure a business online?
- How can small businesses prevent cyber attacks?
Consider this post your essential guide to all things cyber security. You’ll learn what fortifying your small business with cyber security solutions looks like, why it matters, and preventative measures you can take today to stay safe.
If you’d rather start looking into solutions right away, browse our cyber security services and learn more about the security measures we can offer you.
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It includes a variety of technologies, processes, and practices designed to safeguard information and prevent cyberattacks.
In a world where almost every aspect of our lives is becoming digital, cyber security has become crucial to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. It plays a vital role in safeguarding your data, protecting your reputation, ensuring you comply with regulations, preventing financial losses, preserving intellectual property, and ensuring business continuity.
We always recommend being proactive in approaching problems before they happen so you don’t have to learn this lesson the hard way—or at a cost to your business.
How to Make Your Small Business Digitally Secure
You know your small business security is important—so where should you start? There is more than one way to support the security of your business, but choosing the right ones for you starts with accessing the right support first.
For that reason, you may want to consider bringing a professional cyber security company on board to make sure you’re protected from all angles. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know, so leaving it in the hands of skilled professionals is the easiest way to ensure cyber security success.
That said, it does also help to educate yourself on what measures can be taken before you commit to implementing new security systems and tools. Having a little more information can also equip you to ask the right questions about the company you decide to partner with.
Anti-Virus Solutions for Small Businesses
Anti-virus protection refers to various types of cyber security tools that protect your business from various online threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. These solutions are specifically designed to safeguard computers, servers, and networks from malicious software that can compromise sensitive data and disrupt business operations.
Malware Protection
Malware, or malicious software, includes viruses, worms, ransomware, trojans, and other harmful software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or networks. While it might sound like a plot line in a sci-fi movie, the threat of malware is very real! If you want to protect your internal information, maintain customer trust, and solidify your solid reputation, malware protection is a must for your small business.
DNS Filtering
DNS filtering, also known as Domain Name System Filtering, works at the DNS level to prevent users from accessing malicious or inappropriate websites. Put simply, this acts as a barrier or layer of protection between your computer network and the internet by intercepting DNS requests and filtering out undesirable content. DNS filtering protects small businesses by blocking malicious websites, optimizing bandwidth, and allowing for a level of content access control.
Dark Web Scanning
You’ve probably heard of the dark web before, but did you know your sensitive information can end up there? Dark web scanning involves monitoring your information on the dark web. This extra measure is necessary because this part of the internet is not indexed (or “looked at”) by traditional search engines. This is why cybercriminals frequently buy, sell, and trade stolen data on the dark web. Regular dark web monitoring provides early detection of breaches and threats and is an essential component of a comprehensive cyber security strategy for small businesses.
Do Startups Need Cyber Security?
Like any small business, startups should consider cyber security a pillar of their overall business well-being. Startups, in particular, should prioritize cyber security to demonstrate that they take their business—-and the foundation it’s built on—seriously. It can also be useful as a competitive advantage, especially when dealing with clients who are concerned about the security of their data.
A security breach can severely damage a startup’s reputation, especially since building this reputation takes time to cement and solidify. Your customers, investors, and partners want to trust without question that their information is secure. Instead of risking a breach of this trust, which can be devastating for a startup, stay ahead of the game with the right security measures.
Quick Tips for Preventing Cyber Attacks
A well-rounded security approach is best, but every measure you can take matters. Here are a few cyber security tips you and your team can start implementing today.
- Use strong, unique passwords. Use complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using information in your passwords, like birthdays or names, which is typically a go-to guess for hackers.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Whenever possible, enable 2FA for your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.
- Be cautious with email. Phishing emails are getting more sophisticated every day, and they often contain malicious links or attachments designed to compromise your system. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
- Create a cyber security policy. One of the best things small businesses can establish early on is policies and guidelines around cyber security. This could even include training for employees. As tech evolves quickly, it’s important to update and enforce these policies to stay protected regularly.
Elevate Your Digital Defense
Cyber security is of the utmost importance, but it can be difficult to prioritize when it’s on your long list of to-dos. The solution? Ask us about our cyber security services so we can reinforce your business using our experience and expertise.
