- Pam Weiser
Safeguarding Your Success: How Cybersecurity Benefits All Businesses
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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but awareness should really be practiced every day, so that you and your business have the proper resources to stay safe and secure online.
You see it in the news everyday…cyberattacks by hackers and malware are on the rise. Just this week, I received an email from 23andMe about my data potentially being compromised. Hackers are getting more sneaky and creative and when your business is vulnerable, you risk your digital assets being compromised which could result in financial losses, disruption of systems, private data being leaked, hours of downtime, or even your reputation being damaged.
No one is immune and it’s crucial to protect your data, networks and systems. Cybersecurity is a set of practices and technologies that helps do just that. In addition, effective cybersecurity doesn’t just protect from cyberattacks, it helps build resilience and trust with your customers and colleagues.
To start, it’s important to identify your vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Some questions and best practices to consider:
Are you using a password manager? Password managers enhance security by creating and storing complex and unique passwords - making it easier to maintain strong secure logins and credentials.
Are you using 2FA (Two factor authentication)? 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of verification in order to access their accounts - reducing the risk of unauthorized account access.
Are you using networking scanning tools for viruses and open ports? Networking scanning tools proactively identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities or unsecured network entry points - preventing malware or data breaches.
Are you using a firewall? Using a firewall creates a protective barrier which controls incoming and outgoing traffic - strengthening security by blocking unauthorized access to your network.
Is your software up to date? Keeping software up to date is essential to address security threats, increase performance and ensure compatibility with your technologies - reducing the risk of cyber attacks and maintaining efficient operations.
Is your wireless network secure? Securing your wireless network is crucial to prevent unauthorized access - protecting the network and the devices attached to it.
Are your employees/contractors trained and aware? Training your employees and contractors is essential to raise awareness and empowers them to recognize and respond to potential threats - enhancing the overall security of your organization.
Cybersecurity is not a once and done type of thing. It’s an ongoing process. The threats are constantly evolving and your organization’s digital assets may change over time. Regular assessments are crucial to keeping your organization safe and secure. There is no downside to having the right cybersecurity in place for your company’s needs, and although nothing is 100% guaranteed, your organization’s security is only as strong as its weakest link.
There are several tools on the market for each of the vulnerability examples listed above. If you’re unsure of where to start, please reach out to me with questions. I would be happy to assist with safeguarding your success.
“The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete, and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards.” - Gene Spafford
Be The Wiser, LLC
Offering project based and fractional retainer based operations business support for busy CEOs running growth stage companies. We also partner with COOs who strategize, and we come in as the Operations Director-for-hire to take care of the implementations. We help create more efficient operations, increase productivity, improve workflow and streamline systems and processes so that companies can grow more efficiently and effectively to reach their profit goals.