Businesses of all sizes should be concerned about cybersecurity and implementing the latest protection measures. Even if you are running a small company, it doesn’t mean you won’t become a target for cybercriminals. As a matter of fact, they are counting on you to ignore cybersecurity.

The sudden switch to remote work we had experienced during the pandemic highlighted the security gaps for many businesses, and they ran into various cyberattacks such as ransomware and phishing. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your business from cybercriminals.

Review some of them and answer many burning questions, such as – What is phishing? What can someone do with your IP ? How do I come up with a strong password? And many more.

1. Employee training

Employees are frequently unaware of cybersecurity dangers but might be the first to encounter a cyber attack. Therefore, teaching them to recognize the dangers and inform your IT department is crucial.

Employee training should include other security practices, such as using strong passwords and ensuring their devices are malware-free and well-protected.

Your employees should learn about different types of cyber attacks and how to spot them. For instance, phishing is one of the most common methods for obtaining personal information and is commonly used by cybercriminals to break into networks. Individuals usually receive links to phishing websites via email, and employees must know how to identify them.

2. Stronger passwords

Weak passwords are usually behind the most cyberattacks, and making sure your login credentials are hard to guess is necessary. Your employees should follow the example and create strong passwords for their business accounts. Encourage them to use a password manager if they are worried about forgetting their login credentials.

So what makes a strong password? Firstly, don’t use your personal information, such as your hometown, date of birth, etc. Common words are not a great idea, either. Secondly, use symbols, numbers, and upper and lowercase letters. Finally, update your passwords regularly. Don’t use the same one for years. Your login information was likely leaked to the internet at one point, and hackers still use those data dumps.It’s important to understand that identity theft can happen to anyone. For example, founder of Aura Hari Ravichandran started a cybersecurity company after his own information was stolen online.

3. Using VPN

While remote work is convenient, a whole new set of cyber security problems come with it. Employees out of the office might not use secure connections to log into the network, which can put your whole system in danger. Advise the employees against using public Wi-Fi connections for work because cybercriminals often exploit them.

Employees can quickly add a solid layer of security by using a VPN, a tool that encrypts data and masks your IP address. If you are wondering what someone can do with your IP, the answer is – a lot. A skilled cybercriminal can gain access to your personal information, track your activity, launch DDoS attacks, and more.

Shockingly, compromised devices can be a gateway to your company’s network and compromise the information about your customers, including their bank accounts, addresses, locations, etc. Remember that many businesses struggle to rebuild their reputation after a security breach. Therefore, using a VPN is always good if you work out of the office.

4. Update the software

Making sure your antivirus software is up to date is mandatory. Additionally, perform a daily check of all your security apps and download updates as soon as they are available. Cybercriminals search for loopholes and often target outdated software.

Remember that a Firewall is still an amazing feature that strengthens the security of an internet connection. There is no reason why you shouldn’t use it on your network. And finally, always keep an eye on all systems. Act quickly if you see any warning signs and problems.

5. Take care of the network

Confirm that members of your IT team are the only employees who can modify and install new software on your network. Furthermore, keep track of downloaded updates and patches. Additionally, it is recommended that you have a list of computers that have access to your business network. These devices shouldn’t use unsupported software.

Only some employees need to have access to the whole network. Set some limits and grant privileges to a select number of people. By doing this, you’ll minimize the potential entry points for cybercriminals.

Finally, create a backup. It is the best way to fight ransomware, as you’ll have a copy of all your important data.