IT Security

Top 8 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Your Business

The online world has become the go-to place for modern businesses. As the number of online business operations continues to rise, so has the need for cybersecurity. Today, even the seemingly basic online tasks like shopping or researching require sharing personal information for various databases. Unfortunately, every time data is shared, a new security issue arises. Cybersecurity breaches have become more rampant and even more sophisticated than before, and business owners need to protect their essential data. Once personal information leaks, it becomes available to the wrong people, allowing them access to credit cards, bank details, and other private information that can expose you or your business. The following are the cybersecurity best practices that will help give your business the online protection it needs. 

Use a passphrase to create strong passwords

Simple passwords hardly cut it these days, as they are now less difficult to get past. A strong password with a mixture of letters and other characters is always a great option. But you can do even better by opting for a passphrase instead of a simple password. As the name suggests, passphrases use actual words that you can remember rather than just a collection of letters and symbols you can easily forget. That makes passphrases the best password option.

Keep software up to date

The older your software options are, the easier it is to get past their security features. Depending on the software options you use, you may either have to install new versions or update the security features (or update the entire software) to ensure that they are up-to-date in terms of security and functions. Keeping your software up-to-date is one of the simplest yet effective ways to promote your business’s cybersecurity.

Use a secure file sharing solution

Using a secure file-sharing solution is essential for improving cybersecurity. Start by picking a service that offers end-to-end encryption, as doing so will protect your files from external hackers. You can also choose from a wide range of secure file-sharing platforms or systems with varying features. These include virtual data rooms, basic cloud sharing with storage solutions, peer-to-peer networks, file transfer protocol, etc. 

Use a password management site

Password managers can help you generate strong and unique passwords. But that’s not all; password management sites can store your generated passwords in a safe and encrypted location and use them without you needing to remember every single character of your password. This way, you can ensure that no one locks you out of your systems, and no one else will be able to get past your password protection. 

Enable 2-factor authentication

2-factor authentication offers an additional layer of security to any authentication process by making it difficult for unauthorized personnel or attackers to access someone’s online account. Even if a hacker manages to get past the first password, a second authentication check makes it impossible for them to gain access to the victim’s account. 

Also, it can help reduce the time-consuming aspect of resetting passwords – an issue that many help desks face. 2-factor authentication provides one of the safest ways for users to reset their passwords. 

Avoid using public networks

Many hackers use unsecured public Wi-Fi connections to gain access to people’s online accounts and distribute different types of malware. The best way to ensure that your information is safe when using public Wi-Fi is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Even a secure public Wi-Fi network is no guarantee that someone won’t sneak into your account. So, avoid using public networks, in general, to be sure. 

Invest in security updates

While it is vital to keep every software you use up-to-date, you also need to ensure that you invest in general security updates. Investing in technological updates allows your organization to tighten all its security measures, which will always put your business one step ahead of any form of cyber threat. 

Be overly suspicious

Ordinarily, you may think that being overly suspicious in your business is not a healthy thing. But as far as your online security or cybersecurity needs are concerned, you need to be suspicious about everything. Treat every email you receive with unverifiable sources as a potential threat and train your workers to do the same. In that regard, avoid opening emails and links with sources you cannot verify. Also, have a policy in place that details the limits on disseminating and accessing personal data about your workers and others who might be targets of cyberattacks.

Why Choose ExterNetworks

ExterNetworks offers top-notch cyber threat monitoring services tailored to meet your business’s specific needs. With our team of experienced cybersecurity professionals, we provide round-the-clock monitoring and analysis to ensure that your network is protected from any potential threats.

Our advanced technology and proactive approach allow us to quickly detect and respond to threats, minimizing any potential damage to your organization. By partnering with ExterNetworks, you can rest assured that your business is in good hands and that we will work tirelessly to keep your network secure.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact ExterNetworks today to learn more about our cyber threat monitoring services and how we can help protect your business from any potential threats. Trust the experts at ExterNetworks to safeguard your network and ensure peace of mind for you and your team.

Contact us now to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards a more secure future for your business.