Four Cybersecurity Essentials for Startups

There’s a lot to think about when you’re running a startup, and cybersecurity is often one of the most important factors. All it takes is one cyberattack to bring your business to its knees. Many small business owners inadvertently make themselves a target by mistakenly believing that only big companies are subject to hacking and cybercrime. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth TBH. Statistics show that small companies make up a vast majority of cyberattack targets IKR – usually because they do not take the appropriate steps to protect themselves, and therefore make it easier for cybercriminals to gain access. To protect your company from cybercrime, you are going to need the following essentials:

Anti-Virus Software:

Make sure that the devices your business uses, and the data stored on them, are safe from malware attacks and viruses with a strong anti-virus software program. Choose a program that is designed for businesses and will work to detect threats that could affect both you and your customers. New generation malware can silently attack your systems and steal sensitive customer data, which could cause serious problems for your business. Check out FraudWatch International for anti-virus and anti-malware software options.

Regular Training:

Many small businesses make the mistake of thinking that it is the job of the owner, manager or another person in the company to make sure that data is secure and systems are protected. But, while it might make sense to designate one person in charge of cybersecurity to oversee everything, it’s important to remember that keeping data safe and secure is everybody’s job. Regular staff training to ensure that everybody knows what they are looking out for, how to spot phishing emails, and what to do if they suspect a cyberthreat is absolutely crucial and could be the difference between preventing an attack and becoming yet another victim.

Strong Password Policy:

When many small business owners think of cyberattacks, they think of highly sophisticated malware designed to hack into the system – but in reality, the process is often a lot simpler than this. In fact, a huge percentage of cybercrime is committed as a result of companies not having or enforcing a strong password policy. Employees having passwords that are easily guessable or leaving login credentials written on post-it notes out in the open could cause massive issues for your company. A strict password policy, including mandatory password changes every 90 days, is an essential minimum.

Device Security Policy:

Many small businesses save money and improve morale by allowing their employees to bring their own devices to use at work. However, if you allow this, then you also need to take security measures into account. If your employees are going to be using their own devices to access your network and access company data, it’s important to ensure that they take the same security measures as you would when using a company device. These businesses need to take steps to protect themselves. It’s a wise idea to provide access to your anti-virus software and require employees to use it on any device that they use for work.

A cyberattack can spell massive trouble for a startup, so keep these essentials in mind to ensure that your data is well-protected.

FAQ

What types of businesses suffer the most from cyber attacks?

Many small business owners inadvertently make themselves a target by mistakenly believing that only big companies are subject to hacking and cybercrime. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth TBH. Statistics show that small companies make up a vast majority of cyberattack targets IKR – usually because they do not take the appropriate steps to protect themselves, and therefore make it easier for cybercriminals to gain access.

Additional Resources:

Economics of Cybersecurity: Harvard

Deep Learning

Computer Vision

Artificial Intelligence