October marks Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time for businesses to focus on strengthening their defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. As companies rely more on the internet for their daily operations, it becomes more important than ever to use online best practices and prevent data breaches. The good news is that there are some very simple, cost-effective ways that you can improve your security online.
1. Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
According to the most recent Notifiable Data Breaches report, up to a quarter of all data breaches in Australia occur as a result of compromised login credentials. Unfortunately, many employees still rely on passwords that are simple, easy to guess, and used across multiple accounts. A driving factor of this is the difficulty of trying to remember dozens of unique, complex passwords.
Best Practices:
- Encourage the use of strong, unique passwords. Explain why it is dangerous to use weak passwords.
- Invest in a password manager, so employees feel more confident using complex passwords.
- Enable MFA where possible, to help prevent data breaches even if login credentials are compromised.
2. Be Aware of Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are one of the most common and effective methods used by threat actors. During these attacks, a scammer will send emails, text messages, or even make phone calls that appear legitimate, but contain malicious links or ask for sensitive information.
Best Practices:
- Double-check email addresses and phone numbers. Check for small anomalies that might indicate a scam.
- Looking for odd spelling or grammatical errors, suspicious links, or urgent messages designed to create a sense of panic.
- Always verify information on your own before responding to a suspicious email, text, or phone call.
3. Keep Software and Systems Up-to-Date
Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that threat actors exploit to gain access to company systems. It is important to mitigate this threat by ensuring that all devices, applications, and operating systems are regularly updated.
Best Practices:
- Enable automatic updates where possible, as this will remove the element of human error from the equation.
- Keep antivirus and anti-malware programs up-to-date to detect and block the latest threats.
- Regularly check the permissions of the apps you use, and remove those that no longer need access to sensitive data or functions.
4. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Your company Wi-Fi network can serve as a gateway directly to your sensitive data, if left unsecured. Unauthorized users can access devices, monitor your online activity, or steal sensitive information.
Best Practices:
- Change all default passwords, as these are typically easy to guess.
- Ensure your Wi-Fi network uses the latest encryption protocol, WPA3, to secure your connection.
- Disable the broadcast of your Wi-Fi network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier), making it less visible to outsiders.
- Set up a guest network: If you regularly allow outsiders to connect to company Wi-Fi, create a separate guest network to isolate their devices from your primary network.
5. Backup Your Data Regularly
Cyber-attacks like ransomware can lock you out of your systems and data, potentially resulting in significant financial and operational disruptions. One of the easiest ways to protect your business from this is by backing up your data regularly.
Best Practices:
- Automate backups where possible.
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule: Keep at least three copies of your data (the original and two backups), store them on two different media (such as an external drive and the cloud), and keep one copy offsite.
- Test backups regularly, to ensure they actually worked and can be restored during an emergency.
Need more advice? Learn how you can raise cyber awareness in your business
Your Next Step Towards a More Secure Business
Cyber Security Awareness Month is the perfect time to start securing your business against cyber threats. Security does not have to be expensive or complicated – there are plenty of small, easy ways to defend your data and reduce your risk of experiencing a breach. By making cyber security a priority year-round, you can contribute to a safer digital environment for everyone.
The experts at Pronet provide risk assessments to help you understand your current security posture, the threats you are most likely to face, and your biggest vulnerabilities. We test your defences both in theory and in practice, then provide you with actionable insights to improve your security. Learn more about how our risk assessments can make your business safer.
