With the rise of the internet, having near-immediate access to information has never been easier. Nowadays, most businesses rely on digital technology in order to work as efficiently as possible, and this is especially important for small businesses. However, the internet isn’t always used as a tool for good; it can also pose risks to your company in the form of cyber attacks. In order to best protect your business’ data, it’s imperative to learn cybersecurity tips for small businesses.

6 Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

There are many different ways that you can protect your company’s data. From strong passwords to antiviruses to risk management, there’s no singular solution for staying safe online. Check out these cybersecurity tips for small businesses to learn more.

1. Cybersecurity Training

In order to keep your employees safe from cyber attacks, lead a company-wide training about how to recognize phishing and tips for avoiding it. Here are some key points to review at the meeting:

• Most common types of phishing attacks
• Impact of phishing on individuals and companies
• How to recognize a phishing email versus a regular email
• Tips for preventing phishing

To conclude the meeting, test your employees’ knowledge by projecting screenshots of emails on a display screen. Some of these should be regular emails, and some should fall under the phishing umbrella. Ask your team to identify what type of email is being presented and have them explain how they can tell. This will give everyone confidence in their ability to prevent phishing.

2. Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is becoming an increasingly popular means of protecting data in corporate settings. Although it can take different forms, it refers to logging into an account and proving one’s identity in two or more ways. For example, in order to log into a company email account, an employee may be required to sign in using a standard password and then input a temporary password that is texted to their cell phone. This particular type of MFA is referred to as two-factor authentication (2FA) since it requires two forms of ID.

The purpose of using MFA is to make it more difficult for hackers to access sensitive information. Single passwords offer some security, but adding an extra layer will provide all members of your company with peace of mind.

3. Anti-Virus Software

The purpose of anti-virus software, also called anti-malware software, is to prevent your computer from downloading files containing malware. After all, installing malware on your devices is a major security risk; it can corrupt files, enable others to steal your data or prevent you from being able to access your device. 

Installing anti-virus software will ensure that all downloaded files are safe before you open them. Depending on which software you install, your computer will react differently when it detects malware. It may immediately delete the file, or a pop-up will show on the screen to inform you that malware has been found.

As you can see, it’s worthwhile to invest in anti-virus software for your company; it can save you a lot of worry regarding corrupted files. Just remember to run security scans regularly, given that anti-viruses are constantly updating.

4. Limit Personal Device Usage

In tandem with downloading anti-virus software, encourage your team members to solely use their work computers when on the clock. Their personal devices most likely do not have anti-viruses installed; as such, files created and downloaded on personal cell phones, tablets, and PCs are more likely to end up corrupted or hacked.

If there are cases in which personal devices are integral to completing work-related tasks, remind your coworkers to install an antivirus first. This will limit the security risks of using personal devices in the workplace.

5. Backup Your Data

When it comes to data storage, it’s best to employ the 3-2-1 backup rule. This rule dictates that for each original file you create, you should have two additional copies. This amounts to a total of three files. The original copy can stay on your work computer, but the two copies should be stored on separate devices (i.e., hard drives a separate computer). Additionally, one of these copies should be off-site. This way, even if a natural disaster disrupts your worksite, your data will be safe.

In order to ensure that none of your team members lose their files, encourage them to use the 3-2-1 backup rule with their projects. That way, you can always ensure that losing one file doesn’t present a setback.

6. Risk Management

Risk management is a service in which an HR company predicts and reviews any potential factors that could hurt you, your coworkers, and/or your business. Risks can come in many forms; they might be financial, such as an economic recession, or strategic, like identifying companies in competition with your own. But that’s not all that risk management can do; it can also alert you to cybersecurity threats that pose a risk.

Risk management can be quite costly, and therefore, most third-party HR companies cater to big businesses; however, we at Canal HR believe in making risk management available to companies of all sizes. That’s why we cater our services to small businesses. When you rely on us for risk management, we go above and beyond in creating company safety programs, investigating fraudulent claims, and proposing and implementing various risk solutions. Our team takes pride in keeping you safe in the real world and online.

Trust in Canal HR to Keep Your Company Safe

When it comes to providing high-quality HR services to small businesses, there’s no one more reliable than Canal HR. We offer a variety of financial services to our clients, including payroll preparation, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits (which include life, medical, and dental insurance for your employees). 

To stay up to date on more cybersecurity tips for small businesses and to discover more about our services, check out our blog. For any inquiries, please contact us at 504-837-8680 or [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.