Running a company and deciding to advertise your business online is a big leap to growth and development. However, there are a few major challenges most companies face on their website. One of these difficulties is cyber-attacks, which have grown in terms of number and size. These cyber-attacks now include corporate espionage and data theft, which can lead to the uprising of global cybercrime costs.
There has been a recent report from Accenture that the average cost of cybercrime for companies since 2018 has risen from $1.4 million to $13 million. To spare you from spending millions, preventing cyber attacks is a cheaper choice and a strategic one too!
Cyber attacks can occur at any time of the day, in a random month of the year.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can do to prevent cyber attacks. One of the best ways is to include teaching about industrial cyber security to your employees as part of the basic protocols and standard procedures on how to handle private information appropriately. But the question is, how exactly should the company impose and adopt practices that prevent cyberattacks in the most effective way possible?
To help you secure your business' future, here are three best practices that every employee should know.
1. Avoid unknown emails, links, and pop-ups.
Employees need to be aware of how phishing can cause a threat to your private emails. Phishers will try to lure employees by clicking into a link that may result in a security breach. There are unknown emails that contain links that can lead to malware and viruses. Employees should be cautious about links that are attached to emails from unknown or unverified senders. Keep in mind that infiltrators are just one click away from stealing your company's assets.
Here is a general rule to consider: Teach your employees never to include company information in response to an email that is not initiated by them or the company. Phishing is already considered data theft. You can also prevent your employees from opening phishing emails by implementing email authentication technology that blocks suspicious emails and pop-up webpages.
2. Protect sensitive data and information
As a rational person, it is unlikely to share sensitive information such as a credit card number or social security number to any forms of communication like in an email, text message, phone call, or group chats. This is an essential attitude to maintain at work. As a responsible employee, you need to remember that data theft and cybercriminals create email contents that look surreal and legit. Some online scammers use fake caller ID information to lure employees into their schemes.
It is already common knowledge and sense to not leak and publicize your company's files and information. Be responsible when taking pictures inside the company's premises to protect your business' reputation and uphold your company's name.
3. Invest in security systems
No matter how small your business is, investing in a good security system can be the best decision you will make to keep your assets safe and secure. This can also provide system protection such as malware detection and reliable antivirus, run regular system checks and updates, and external hard drives that back up your company's data. Making this investment as early as you start your business can benefit you in terms of possible cyber-attacks and security breaches.
Furthermore, the computers and other devices that are used by your employees should be equipped with secure and robust security software. This is to help your company provide data security that keeps your IT security team alerted whenever suspicious emails and links appear on your system. There are system flaws that can show up any time of the day and having a strong security software can prevent infiltrations and hackers from entering your domain. The quicker the response to break downs, the better. Remember that every second counts, especially when it's the future of your business that is on the line.