Companies need to be more alert than ever to the potential threats that they face from cybercriminals. In recent years, there has been a growing number of ransomware attacks, where companies are targeted, and their data is forcibly encrypted or stolen after a vulnerability is found in their security. These ransomware attacks, as well as more traditional forms of cyberattacks using malware, can cause huge damages, not only in financial terms but also in terms of reputation.
Hackers frequently target large corporations, but smaller businesses can sometimes be targeted more frequently. Cybercriminals may believe that small organisations have fewer restrictions and are therefore easier to compromise. It doesn’t make a difference whether your company is large or small. All businesses are at risk of cyber threats and should take cybersecurity very seriously.
Even if an organisation has the strongest security software and the most extensive office policies, the actions of any employee can have a significant role in data security. As a result, cybersecurity is a team effort, and organisations need to think carefully about their strategy when approaching their network security. Here are laid out the three best cybersecurity practices that any company should be following to keep their data secure.
Train the employees with cybersecurity threats awareness programs
All security systems are only as strong as their weakest link, a gate that is padlocked closed with a rusty chain can easily be broken into and a network that has many layers of security but an obvious entry point in the same. A single employee could make a mistake that results in a compromised network, either by sharing information, clinking on a malicious link or some other way. This is why it’s so important that companies ensure all employees receive training on cybersecurity threats.
Employee training should include how to set up secure passwords, avoiding unknown links, proper document management and accessing the network correctly. It should also cover common security threats and how to avoid phishing and social engineering, as these are the most common ways cybercriminals gain access to a system.
Use a Remote Access VPN that supports SDP, Zero Trust, MFA, DNS filtering
For organisations that allow employees to work remotely, there is an added security risk when staff use unsecured networks to handle sensitive data. As a result, making use of a remote access VPN is incredibly important. A remote-access virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all traffic sent and received by users working remotely, allowing them to safely access and use programmes and data stored in the company data centre and headquarters.
SDP, Zero Trust, MFA, and DNS Filtering are all important features that provide added security to your remote access VPN, as explained here. Zero trust is a security approach that assumes no one can be trusted and given access to corporate assets until they have been verified as legitimate and permitted.
Give secured devices to employees with Antivirus and user account management
Alternatively, a company can also increase its security by providing secured devices to remote employees. These devices will each come with preinstalled software, including antivirus and an account management system. This prevents employees from needing to download and install their own software, removing the risk of malicious programs being installed. The account management system also limits access based on employee level and can limit the damage a hacker can cause if they were to gain access.
Bio: Ruben Bonan is the Founder of Marketing Marvel, an industry-leading Digital Marketing company. Through their services, Marketing Marvel helps organizations develop their brand awareness and increase their revenues by generating high-quality leads.