Cyberattacks are becoming more and more common thanks to the rapid digitalization of businesses everywhere. A whopping 43 percent of cyberattacks are directed against small businesses instead of large organizations because they have fewer resources to detect or combat them. It can take up to six months for businesses to detect they’ve been hacked, giving plenty of time for the perpetrators to do more damage.
According to experts, the average cost of a data breach can reach up to over 3.8 million dollars, but small businesses will be hard-pressed to cover even a small percentage of that amount. Below are some effective tips you can use to improve your business’s online security without breaking the bank.
-
Choose Trusted Developers
Unless you have the expertise to do so, you’ll probably ask someone else to build your website for you. For example, with a C++ developer outsource staff, you don’t have to write codes for you. You have to very careful when screening the companies or individuals you’ll hire to make your site. Follow up on any of their previous clients and ask if they’ve experienced any cyber breaches. Ensure anyone you outsource your needs to are qualified and experienced enough to get the job done properly. This first step is essential in guaranteeing you don’t encounter problems in the future.
-
Update Software
New computer viruses and malware are created at a blinding pace. According to one expert, as many as 350,000 new malware are made and detected every day. Because of this rapid advancement, you need to constantly update your software, whether that’s your firewall or other security protocols. Once a month, assess your website’s entire structure and inspect your security measures. Check with cybersecurity providers if these methods are still up to par and update as necessary. Doing so can limit the chances of successful cyberattacks from wreaking havoc on your business.
-
Backup Information Regularly
Cyberattacks sometimes do serious damage to your electronic information. Sometimes these data aren’t salvageable and if you don’t have backups, it’s going to be almost impossible to replicate them. Some data can be lost, but you can’t afford to lose others, such as customer information, sensitive data like financial accounts. Regular data backups are essential in protecting your business.
There are three ways you can back up your data. First is by printing out hard copies of the data and storing these paper files in physical locations. Second is by manually saving the data into external hard drives. Finally, you can use cloud-based software to store them electronically elsewhere.
-
Find a Secure Host
Unless you have the resources to have one, your website information will most likely be stored on an off-site server, probably through a website hosting provider. There are many trustworthy hosting platforms online, such as those used by sites such as Square Space or WordPress. However, if you want to use a different provider, make sure they offer firewalls, antivirus software and have a great track record in preventing cyberattacks.
The world is well into entering a new stage of development, one that is full of possibilities as much as threats. Keeping a close watch on any threats to your business’s digital security should be one of your top priorities if you want to succeed.
