Improve the Safety of Your Small Business Network with These Simple Security Checks

When it comes to small business cybersecurity, many business owners lag behind, often because they do not consider it a priority. They believe that they don’t have that much to protect and therefore there isn’t anyone out there trying to steal their data.

However, this mentality can land them in a lot of trouble, especially since threats to network security don’t always take the form of a premeditated super-targeted attack. They also aren’t limited to large businesses.

In fact, a lot of hackers prefer to target small business because even though they may be handling smaller amounts of sensitive data, they usually have weaker security measures compared to large businesses that can afford top-notch solutions.

If you’re a business owner who would have a harder time surviving downtime in service provision, or other consequences like having to pay a ransom for data, and lawsuits plus boycotts due to data leaks, here are some tips on how to improve your business’ network security:

Install a firewall

This is basically a device that monitors outgoing and incoming traffic, filtering out any suspicious traffic. On top of a typical external firewall protecting the business network from malicious outsiders, a small business with highly compartmentalised operations can add an internal firewall to its security setup.

This addition can help to bolster security while taking into consideration the most vulnerable sections of the network and those most likely to put other sections at risk. You should also ensure that employees install firewall software on any other devices that they use for work while at home or on the go.

Use multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication involves going through extra steps after entering your password when logging into an account while on the internet. This may be something like entering a code sent to your phone number via SMS or through an authenticator app, that expires or is refreshed periodically.

This method will come in handy when someone else guesses your password, uses a password generator or malware and tries to log into your accounts. They’ll remain locked out since they don’t have the second piece of evidence required.

Train your staff

The truth is that regardless of all the hardware and software you deploy towards boosting your business’ network security, ultimately, it will come down to the vigilance of the people using it.

Whether it’s simple logging out and shutdown procedures or detecting possible phishing attempts, employees should undergo continuous education and sensitisation on emerging threats and how to avoid them.

You can also carry out random drills to check whether employees are conversant with the required procedures and are following them to the dot.

Utilise anti-spyware and anti-malware

There’s a wide range of malicious software used for purposes ranging from secretly collecting a user’s information, say through capturing keystrokes and screenshots, to interfering with application processes.

So while many business owners stop at using basic anti-viruses, this software goes undetected. Make sure you install anti-malware and anti-spyware to scan all directories for any hidden threats and neutralise them.

Keep your software updated

A lot of computer users ignore update requests because they usually involve length restarts and their systems seem to be working just fine. What they forget is that these updates are occasionally put out as a response to a recently discovered vulnerability within the software.

Always check for any new updates, whether it’s for desktop software or firmware on other devices, find out any flaws through online forums and install all the required and stable updates available.

Backup your data frequently

While this may not speak directly to the security of the network, it is about securing your data and applications, especially what’s needed on a daily basis for critical business processes like payments.

With proper backups both on and off-site, you can rest assured that if attackers manage to penetrate your security and make your data inaccessible, you can always continue operations on another server using backup copies.

Endeavour to find a provider who can deliver all the required small business security services or at least offer solutions that take into consideration the organisation as a whole and its changing needs. Visit Deployus to get a better picture of network security solutions that ensure continuity for your business amidst changing situations.