4 Ways to Improve Business Cybersecurity

It might start with an email, or a private message on Facebook. The correspondence may seem legit, but when a small business owner clicks a link in that message, the unthinkable happens. A hacker infects their device with malware. That malware spreads to other devices across the network, which puts the entire company’s data at risk. This scenario occurs for thousands of small businesses in Virginia and Washington, D.C. every year, and it’s not just malicious links that are a problem. Phishing, trojans, adware, compromised passwords, identity theft, etc. — cybercrime is on the rise, costing organizations $3.5 billion in 2019 alone. Here’s how to prevent attacks from happening and improve your business cybersecurity.

#1. Create a BYOD Policy

Employees who bring their own devices to work make organizations more vulnerable to cybercrime. That’s because these devices might not have adequate protection, increasing the risk of malware, data theft, and stolen passwords. 

Implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) security policy provides a solution. It establishes best practices for employees who use laptops and smart devices at work, including rules for connecting to the company’s network and accessing sensitive business information.

#2. Formulate a Disaster Recovery Plan

Sometimes the worst-case scenario happens. A bad storm floods the office and destroys hardware. Or hackers infiltrate a computer system, stealing customer data. In situations like these, small business owners can fall back on their disaster recovery plan (DRP).

A DRP is a document with instructions for responding to an emergency or unplanned security incident. This document outlines the steps a business owner should take to mitigate downtime, safeguard sensitive data, and protect the company’s reputation. 

#3. Set Up Access Controls

Malicious insiders — existing or former employees who leak data from an organization — caused 43 percent of all business cybersecurity incidents between March and July 2020. Small business owners can mitigate this growing problem by setting up access controls that regulate who (and who can’t) use digital resources within their enterprise. 

#4. Invest in a Managed Services Provider

Monitoring and maintaining IT security is a challenge for any small business owner with hundreds of other jobs on their to-do list. A managed services provider (MSP) lightens the load by taking care of all the cybersecurity tasks that small business owners don’t have the time or resources to complete, such as:

• Network monitoring and threat detection
• End-point protection
• Compliance and risk management

A reputable local MSP like Envision Consulting provides 24/7 proactive protection for security-conscious business owners in Virginia and D.C. 

Final Word

Business cybersecurity is on the rise, and small companies need to prevent it from happening. Creating a BYOD policy, formulating a disaster recovery plan, setting up access controls, and, ultimately, investing in a local MSP gives local business owners much-needed peace of mind. 

With over 20 years of experience, Envision Consulting specializes in managed IT security services that improve business efficiency and safety. Set up a meeting to learn more.