Cyber attacks are on the rise, and no one is safe. Whether you’re a nonprofit organization, government agency, or multinational corporation doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is your cyber hygiene. How do you prevent cyber attacks? What actions must you take to mitigate such attacks? What steps should you take to protect your data?
While many companies invest in cyber security software and state-of-the-art defenses, most fail to implement a solid cyber security strategy addressing the major threats. This article highlights Eight ways to up your cyber security as an organization.
1. Secure Your Web Browser
Your web browser is one of the most vulnerable points in your network. Hackers can use it to access sensitive information and even take over your computer. To keep hackers at bay, ensure you update your browser regularly and install any security updates as soon as they become available.
A secure browser will protect against malware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access to your computer or mobile device. It would be best if you also consider which applications you use on your devices.
If you’re using apps that collect personal information, such as social media or banking apps, ensure these apps use encryption technology so that third parties cannot intercept data.
2. Invest in a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) allows employees to connect to a secure network anywhere. This means that hackers cannot access their systems or steal sensitive data. A VPN also encrypts all data transferred between two devices, making it impossible for anyone to see what’s being sent back and forth between them.
For example, suppose an employee uses a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop or airport terminal. In that case, hackers could try and intercept their information by using keyloggers or other malicious software that collects information from unprotected computers connected to public networks.
A VPN will protect against this type of attack by encrypting data traffic. Therefore, even if hackers manage to get hold of your password or login credentials, they won’t steal any information from your device or computer because they’ll be unable.
3. Install an Antivirus Package
Businesses with more than one computer should have antivirus software installed on their machines. This will protect them against viruses, spyware, and other malicious code that can cause damage to your system or steal data.
Many antivirus programs also come with additional features like firewalls and malware protection. You may also want to consider installing an antimalware program. These programs target specific types of malware, such as worms or Trojans.
Some companies go so far as to install two separate antivirus packages on their network. One for desktops and laptops and another for servers and other important network devices like routers and printers.
4. Create a Firewall and Safe Zones
As an organization, you need to identify when your company is at risk of a cyber-attack. You can do this by creating safe zones. These are parts of your network that are isolated from the rest of your network.
This way, if there is a breach in one of your systems, it will not spread across the entire network. This could include storing sensitive information on servers or hard drives that are not connected to the internet.
You should also create firewalls. It acts as an electronic barrier to stop unauthorized access or intrusions into your network. It can be hardware- or software-based and typically consists of two or more firewalls working together.
A firewall creates an impenetrable barrier between your network, the Internet, and other connected networks and devices. You can also configure it to protect wired and wireless networks, servers, and workstations from unauthorized access outside their boundaries.
5. Use Password Managers in Your Organization
Passwords are the weakest link in cyber security. People use them to access accounts, financial transactions, and even their email.
Unfortunately, they are also the easiest to crack. Hackers can easily access your password by using automated methods or social engineering — which is when a hacker gets you to give up your password via phone call or text message.
It would be best if you used a password manager to save all your passwords so that you don’t have to worry about remembering them. A password manager will keep all of your logins secure and encrypted so that hackers can’t get into them without your permission.
6. Educate Employees Regularly
Employees need to learn about cyber security to protect themselves from phishing scams, malware, and ransomware attacks. They must also understand how to spot suspicious activity on their computers or mobile devices.
If it happens, they should report it immediately so that they can get it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem than it needs to be. You can do this through training sessions or email campaigns. These sessions inform employees about new threats and how they should respond if they notice something suspicious happening on their devices or accounts.
7. Create a Culture of Cyber Security Awareness
The best way to protect your business is by educating everyone on the importance of cyber security. This is especially important if your business uses cloud services or has a remote workforce.
The first step in creating a culture of cyber security awareness is to develop a clear policy, such as an acceptable usage policy (AUP). All employees and contractors should receive the AUP and sign it as part of their employment contract or contract agreement.
The AUP should include information about what constitutes acceptable use of company resources and what type of activities are prohibited. There should be a clear description of violations in the policy, and disciplinary action may result in termination.
Next, it’s essential to train all staff members to identify potential cyber threats within their environment and mitigate them. Your training should include the following:
- Network security
- Email security
- Social media security
- Data encryption
- Password management
- Physical security
8. Beware of Phishing and Other Scams
Phishing emails are one of the most common ways hackers gain access to your data. These emails typically look like legitimate messages from financial institutions or government agencies. Still, they’re meant to trick you into providing information such as usernames and passwords that you can use to access your accounts.
To avoid falling victim to these types of scams, always check the sender when opening an email from someone you don’t know. If anything seems suspicious, contact the person directly instead of replying or opening any attachments included in the email.
Your Data Safety Is Key!
Cybercrime is an ongoing issue, and you don’t want to wait until a breach occurs before taking proper precautions. To prevent this from happening and improve your organization’s cyber security, your organization should consider these steps in the long run.