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Top 4 Essential Cyber Security Tips

By 28th February 2022Blog4 min read

Technology has transformed how businesses operate, but with increasing reliance on technology comes the risk of cybercrime.

No matter the size of your organisation, cybercriminals will be trying to gain access to your infrastructure and sensitive data. It is essential that you take steps to protect your business, and educate your employees on the risks posed by phishing emails and even the dangers posed by malicious QR codes. Here are our top tips for boosting your cybersecurity.

 

  1. Your employees are your first line of defence, and potentially your greatest weakness

You must create awareness of cybersecurity measures from the top-down in your organisation. Ensure that all your staff, from the boardroom to the interns know how to spot a malicious email, and if it comes from the source it claims to be from.

Make employees aware of the dangers of using third-party or ‘free’ USB memory sticks or other unknown devices too. If there are remote employees, make sure they know never to use free wifi for anything other than casual browsing.

 

  1. Backup your data

Everyone knows that they should back up their data, whether it’s just documents and photos from personal phones and computers or all of the data that your business holds. However, failing to perform a back up a common mistake made by many organisations.

Your data is not just vulnerable to criminal activity, it can be at risk from loss or breakdown of computer equipment, fire, flood, etc. No matter how well insured you are, if data is lost, it cannot be reinstated without a backup. Develop a robust procedure to ensure that your data is safe and backed up.

 

  1. Don’t re-use passwords

Password re-used is one of the most damaging and prevalent behaviours of many people, with some using the same password for multiple apps and websites. Should one of these websites be compromised, then hackers may gain access to your login details, including your email and password and try to access other sites or even your email account.

Make sure you use different passwords for each website or account and change them periodically. Use strong passwords with a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.

Wherever possible, use 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) i.e. mobile or landline number as this makes access a lot harder and the criminal will likely move on to lower hanging fruit.

If you’re now faced with the problem that you can’t possibly remember all those passwords, you might consider using a password manager to store them all. Choose a well-respected paid service rather than a free one. Access to the password manager should be protected by a very long password and 2FA.

 

  1. Content, Web and Email filtering

Set your internet browser so that it blocks access to known malicious sites, and make sure your email service is blocking executable or known malicious attachments and scans your email for viruses and malware before it reaches your computer or device.

Never allow an exception when your browser pops up with a certificate error when accessing an HTTPS site.

Remember, all it takes is one click. There’s nothing wrong with being a little paranoid – they are out to get you!

 

If you’re looking for IT support in Doncaster, talk to us today.