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With such a large proportion of workforces currently working from home, cybersecurity has never been such a pertinent issue. If you’re looking to improve the cybersecurity of your business then there are some key considerations to bear in mind.

 

In the same way, as you might dedicate time and resources to identifying and mitigating legal or financial risks for the business you also need to do the same when it comes to cybersecurity. For example, many security experts identify people as the biggest risk within any organisation.

 

Ensure that your network security is strong. Antivirus and firewall programmes are basic essentials for cybersecurity – it’s crucial to minimise risks to the business by preventing unauthorised access and filtering out malicious content as much as possible.

 

Make sure everyone understands the value of passwords. Strong passwords will protect your business. It’s crucial that these are complex and regularly changed and that you provide tips for employees when it comes to remembering and safely keeping a record of them. Passwords should be changed at least every three months and the most obvious combinations, such as ‘12345’ or ‘qwerty’ avoided.

 

Stick to private Wi-Fi networks. Especially given the large number of staff currently working from home it’s becoming more important than ever to avoid giving cybercriminals access to systems and data by connecting to an unsecure public network. Opt for private Wi-Fi networks instead and ensure they are password protected.

 

Social media sharing can provide password insights. The more personal information that is shared via social media the easier it could be to guesswork passwords. For example, sharing photos of pets with their names or posting about relatives, including a mother’s maiden name, might be just what a hacker needs to guess an unchallenging password.

 

Ongoing awareness and training is key. While people within an organisation can present the biggest risks in cybersecurity terms they can also be a key defence. Policies that make clear what to do in the event of a security breach are essential. Ongoing training can help to ensure staff know not to respond to certain emails or click on some types of links.

 

Ensure that devices are protected. Devices present many risks, from systems being accessed by hackers to laptops that are lost in public. There are also a number of steps you can take to prepare for the worst, from backing data up to ensuring staff don’t leave devices unattended.

 

Use a professional shredding service to dispose of hardware. Destruction of old digital media is an essential part of cybersecurity. For example, hard drives that are not destroyed may still contain usable information. A comprehensive shredding partner can ensure that these are completely destroyed, minimising the business risk that they present.

 

If you’re looking to improve your cybersecurity there are some simple ways to do it – starting with these 8 steps.