5 Ways to Protect Your Business

Sarah Parker
Authored by Sarah Parker
Posted: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 - 18:20

As the frequency of cyber attacks seems to grow by the day, entrepreneurs from all over the world are looking for ways to better protect their businesses. While the Internet makes all our lives easier and more convenient, it also leaves us vulnerable to hackers and data thieves, so it’s important to use our company devices responsibly and make sure we’re clued up on the dangers.

Although no company can ever be immune to the threat of an attack, there are steps you can take that will improve your cyber security. Here are five ways to better protect your business. 

Have a Plan

While we all like to think that it won’t happen to us, the reality is that a cyber breach could befall any company at any time. Of course, preventative methods are important too, but having a plan in place will minimise the fallout of such an event and prevent further attacks happening in the future.

Put your plan into writing and make sure all your employees know how to access this information. You can’t always bank on being around should disaster strike, so appoint someone to take charge of the situation in your absence and make sure he or she is up to speed.

Upgrade and Update

Cyber attackers are growing more and more savvy, so it isn’t enough to simply install a firewall and download anti-virus software. Your apps, software, and program upgrade prompts might be irritating, but they’re there to protect you. These upgrades often provide fixes for vulnerabilities that can leave you open to hackers, so upgrade and update as much as possible. If you’re worried your software is out-dated, consult an online security expert for advice.

Take Out Insurance Cover

With so much focus on the implications of a cyber breach, it’s easy to forget that your business is also at risk of a physical break-in. If your company has a bricks-and-mortar presence, you need to make sure that your building, equipment, and company vehicles are all insured against theft, loss, and damages.

Use a trusted provider like Bluedrop Insurance Services for comprehensive business cover, and don’t forget to safeguard your motor fleet as well as your building. Shatterproof glass, deadbolt locks, and security cameras are excellent deterrents for burglars, and they are well worth the expense if it means protecting your property.

Encrypt Your Data

Encryption scrambles your data to anyone who doesn’t have your password information, so it makes information sent across channels hard to decipher. Although it sounds complicated, encryption is simpler than you might think. All you need to do is turn on your full-disk encryption tools (which come as standard with most operating systems) and every file on your system will become encrypted without slowing it down.

Secure Your Hardware

It’s not just your computer systems that are vulnerable. In fact, most cyber attacks occur when physical electronics are stolen, so don’t overlook the security of your external devices. Make sure all company mobile phones, tablets, and hard drives have the same security as your internal computers to make sure your data remains locked down.