As a small business owner, you might believe that cyberattacks are unlikely to affect your organization. However, due to their sometimes lower resource levels and less advanced security procedures, small enterprises are more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybercriminals are aware of this weakness and frequently target small businesses in an effort to steal confidential data or financial information.
Thankfully, there are measures you can take to safeguard your small business online. The following are some helpful tips for small businesses regarding cybersecurity:
Use strong passwords: One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your business from cyber threats is by using strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or common words in your passwords. Instead, consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. Part of this strategy is using a password manager, even for those in the Mac world these are going to make your life much easier, take a look at 1Password as a good place to start, very Mac friendly as well.
Use antivirus software: Using antivirus software is crucial for safeguarding your company from malware and other online dangers. To ensure the best security, install antivirus software on all your devices and keep it updated. If you are a Mac-based business, of course, your world is pretty "Virus" resistant but Adware and Malware are still issues, for your Macs keep a good Anti-Malware software installed. But installed AV tools is a waste of money and can often cause some major performance issues.
Regularly update your software: Keep your software up-to-date, as security holes in older versions are a common entry point for cybercriminals. To avoid this, you must routinely update all of your software, including operating systems, web browsers, and apps. But this can be a delicate balance, do not rush to click that update button unless you have checked to ensure your printer, scanners, and operational software are all going to support the update. For the most stability, especially for Mac-based businesses, we recommend holding off on major OS updates for about a full release cycle - or about a year. If you are not sure, check with your IT guy.
Enable two-factor authentication: Using two-factor authentication adds an extra level of security to your account by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password. Implementing two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your accounts, even if they manage to steal your password.
Back up your data: Regularly backing up your information is crucial in the event of a cyberattack or other disaster. Make sure to create backups of all critical data and store them in a secure location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service. A good option for online backups is Backblaze, very Mac-friendly. So if you are a small business using Apple Technology, Macs, I'd start there.
By following these best practices for cybersecurity in small businesses, you can protect your company from cyber threats and keep your sensitive data safe. Investing in solid cybersecurity measures may seem like an unnecessary expense. However, the costs of a cyber attack can be much higher in terms of lost business, lost data, and damage to your reputation. Therefore, protect your business by taking the necessary precautions to protect it from cyber threats.
