Between rapidly evolving technology and the mass shift to remote work, cyberattacks are growing more common. The total annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
It’s not just big enterprises that need to worry about this threat; small and midsize businesses are at risk too.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect your data and keep your business operating securely.
Understand the different types of cyberattacks
Before you can protect your business, you should know the different approaches cybercriminals take.
Here are a few of the threats to be aware of so you can take measures to prevent them:
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Phishing - occurs when attackers access your sensitive information through a fraudulent website.
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Hacking - happens when a hacker gains unauthorized access to your data, usually through email or other internal systems.
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Keylogging - is software that can detect keystrokes and sometimes even allow criminals to take screenshots of your confidential data.
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Malware - is another type of malicious software that attackers send to your devices to extract sensitive information and data.
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Social engineering - is when cybercriminals use social platforms to gain trust and collect sensitive personal or business data.
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Identity theft - happens when a cybercriminal obtains your personal information and uses it to carry out fraudulent activities.
READ MORE: What Is Ransomware?
Educate your employees
Cyberattacks most often occur due to human error, so educating your employees should be a fundamental component of your cybersecurity plan.
Establish standards for using your business information and teach all team members how to ensure the data they access and share stays safe.
Offer actionable steps, like using strong passwords or biometrics to access data, using separate devices for work activities, and keeping an eye out for common threats.
Use antivirus software
Ensure every team member uses a device with the latest antivirus software and keeps it updated regularly.
Software updates do more than deploy the latest features; they also fix bugs and patch holes in the system to ensure your devices stay protected from threats.
An excellent approach is to set all devices to install updates automatically, so you never have to worry whether your business computers are up to date.
Encrypt important information
Encryption is the only surefire way to protect your important data.
It’s a process where your information is converted into code and only accessible by people who have permission to decrypt and access the data.
Encrypting emails and files ensures that they stay secure no matter who is sending, receiving, or accessing them and can prevent years of confidential data and communication history from becoming compromised.
Use encryption across your business and add a single-sign on (SSO) system to ensure data stays secure when your team members access it.
Conclusion
Following these tips is very important for preventing cyberattacks and protecting your small business and customers from threats.
With a few key steps and regular security checks, you can rest assured that your company will continue operating safely even as technology evolves and new cybersecurity risks emerge.
For more, watch our video here:
Sign up with Sealit to implement data protection and encryption for your business today.