Because I don’t believe anyone is immune from a cyber attack in today’s business world. You may think that you’re immune, but you’re not. Not even if you’re running your own data center in house with firewalls, intrusion detection, etc. If you have a public-facing internet connection, you will be probed for weakness. So, how can you keep your business safe? Here are three ways to safeguard your business from a cyber attack.
Business Internet Connection
This is your connection to the outside world. Don’t depend on your provider to keep you safe from attack. Make sure that you have a firewall between you and the outside. There are two brands that stand out: Barracuda and Cisco. Both have units that are targeted to the small to midsized business. Some have bundled intrusion detection and malware protection in with their offerings. If you need us to make an assessment of your situation and connect you with one of our strategic partners, let us know.
Internal Software Updates
Outdated software is a big risk. This includes computer operating systems and other software you may use in your business. Make sure every computer has automatic updates turned on so that you don’t have to worry. Keep your other software licenses up to date so that you can receive regular security updates when they are released.
Password Policies
Studies have shown that the majority of hacks are often because of weak passwords. If you want to check how strong your passwords are, then take a hop over to the Password Strength Checker. How well did you do? Ready to make some changes? Here are some tips that will help you and your employees create and manage passwords.
Use a Password Manager
We like LastPass. You can install it on any of your devices. There is a free version and a paid version. We all use the paid version because it provides emergency access and tech support. Both versions have a password generator which can help you generate and maintain strong passwords.
Use Strong Passwords
Back in 2008, the folks over at The Geek Stuff published “The Ultimate Guide for Creating Strong Passwords.” If you’re not going to use a password manager, then read and memorize this article. Your passwords should be a minimum of 8 characters in length and have 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter, 1 number, and 1 special character. They call this the “8 4 Rule.”
Conclusion
Ensure that your internet connection to your business is safe and properly secured. Make sure that all of your computer software and operating systems are kept up to date and patched properly. Finally, use strong passwords for both your business and personal accounts.
