[embed]https://vimeo.com/394898387[/embed] It’s a common misconception that cyber-attacks will only target massive corporations. Exactly 66% of employers believe that small firms are less likely to get attacked. But that couldn't be more wrong. Cyber-attacks can cost both small and big businesses up to $200,000. Based on statistics, small companies are ill-equipped to deal with these incidents making them extremely vulnerable to losing a huge chunk of their business. In fact, 40% of all cyber-attacks target small firms, like agencies, bureaus, and offices. But, only 14% can actually protect themselves. In other words, these incidences are massively underestimated.  

7 Tips for Boosting Cybersecurity For Small Businesses

For any firm to thrive, it needs an efficient, productive, and safe workplace. Implementing a strategy to enhance cybersecurity can help protect the business from a massive income loss. Here are a couple of handy tips that will bolster your cybersecurity.

1. Prepare Your Staff on All the Security Measures They Need to Take

Every small business needs a basic policy and practice that employees can follow. That means using powerful and long passwords, adequate Internet use, guidelines on what they can and can’t download, and penalties for those who will violate the policy. By creating a well-grounded how-to-use policy, the company will be less exposed to cyberattacks.

2. Protect Your WiFi/Internet Connection With a Firewall

Every data needs to be secured. With a firewall, outsiders won’t easily access the data that is in the private network. This type of software can be downloaded online to make sure that your entire system is safe and secure.

3. Stay Up to Date

All the operating systems, machines, and software you use must have the latest anti-virus malware and be constantly updated. Anything from a software update to a regular computer scan can help build up a defense against cyber-attacks.

4. Always Have a Backup Plan

If most of the work in your business is done on computers, it’s vital that you make copies of all the information, data, spreadsheets, files, sales, or recourses at hand. It’s a good idea to store them externally, in the cloud, or print them out if necessary.

5. Make Sure that Your Internet Connection Is Encrypted

Just a Firewall won’t do. You need to secure encryptions so that your network name won’t get broadcasted. This is a simple method of staying hidden.

6. Think About the Payment Processors

Payment systems can vary. Some are more complex, and others are simple to work with. The more complex ones are harder to protect. But, since all the resources you will be using will go through that payment processor, you must make sure that it’s secure. There are multiple ways you can do that, for example, you can limit in-house access, regularly inspect the card data, and contact vendor partners to make sure that everything is working well. If you want to double up your security, it’s a good idea to connect your card to your phone. So, if anything does happen, you will immediately get notified. This is one of those simple methods that can prove useful in the long-run.

7. Hire Someone to Do the Work For You

If you already have too much on your plate, it’s a good idea to get an expert who will take care of everything for you. They can protect both your online and physical data, make sure that your network is encrypted, and everything is up to date.

Conclusion

As long as you have the right strategy in play, you can protect your small business from cyberattacks. Adopting these tips can definitely come in handy. Let us know if you found them helpful in the comment section below.