Online activity continues to rise for both individuals and businesses. Following the events of 2020, more people turned to the digital world for communication and shopping. By the end of the year, nearly 5 billion people, or around 60% of the global population, were online. This surge increased the risk of cybersecurity threats. Despite the pandemic and other challenges, companies and individuals faced malicious activities like cyber extortion. Billions of dollars in investments and personally identifiable information (PII) were lost.
While there’s no foolproof solution to eliminate these risks, several strategies can help protect your company. Here are a few examples:
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is a simple yet effective way to enhance company protection. By creating a secure tunnel between employees and their workplace environment, a VPN minimizes the risk of malicious activity. Users must request access and enter their credentials to log in. The VPN then directs them through a private IP address/hostname that’s invisible to the outside world.
VPNs not only protect employees but also the data they access. They make it difficult for cybercriminals to track user activity. Additionally, VPNs allow you to browse the internet from anywhere in the world, making it helpful for social media marketing and other purposes.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security to the standard username/password combination. It requires users to provide additional verification, such as a code sent via text or phone call, to access their accounts. This makes it nearly impossible for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access, even if they have your password.
MFA is a valuable tool for protecting both personal and work accounts. It can help reduce the risk of security threats and ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.
Hardware and Software Updates
VPN and MFA can only maximize their protection if what they shield is regularly updated. Thus, hardware and software changes must be implemented immediately to maintain business integrity. You might consider looking into certain types of software that can enhance your security and give you peace of mind. When you decide to get cyber risk management software from a company like Axio you will be able to have state-of-the-art security from having a high-quality software set that is created to keep your tech secure. Minus that activity and your organization remains an easy target for cybercriminals.
You can’t let your employees guide your decision to upgrade because they’re used to their environment. Complacency is a dangerous precedent to set as it leads to poor security. Thus, everyone needs to have their system updated regardless of how they feel.
Hardware and software upgrades aren’t only for the user equipment. It also has to take place on data servers and network equipment. It’s especially critical for the latter. Without regular updates, firewalls and routers don’t have the necessary information to block viruses or hacks. The result is increased cybercriminals activity.
Outsourcing Security
If you have limited IT resources to handle your security concerns then it’s a good idea to outsource to professionals such as those at this IT support services company, for example. This will allow a team of subject matter experts who understand IT security. Often, they will have an understanding of all workplace sizes, and in turn, they’re able to provide the right security solutions for your organization.
While sometimes there can be an initial payout for this type of service, the return on investment is greater for your company. It’s going to be in the form of strong security mechanisms that protect your finances and the PIl of workers and customers.
Though this is a small percentage of ways to protect your company from cybersecurity threats, they are the most important. Without them, you run a greater risk of hacks and other forms of cyber extortion.
Getting Started
A risk management audit can help you assess your current security posture and identify areas for improvement. An external expert can provide recommendations and help you develop a comprehensive security plan.
Conclusion
Prioritizing cybersecurity is essential for protecting your company’s data and reputation. By implementing measures like VPNs, MFA, regular updates, and potentially outsourcing security, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats. Don’t delay; take action to strengthen your security today.
