All Businesses use the Internet, but not all businesses are aware of the dangers lurking behind each link you click and the measures that can protect your business and its data.
In this article we are going to go over the fundamental things you can do to protect your business from serious cyber threats:-
- Realize that you are an attractive target for cyber crime. Don’t ever think “We are only a small business, nobody is interested in our data.” – All businesses are at risk. From Gavin the window cleaner with a laptop he uses for 1 spreadsheet, to large organisation like the NHS and Barcleys Bank.
- Password management – don’t use one password for everything; swap around and use passwords with strong mixes of characters, and don’t put it on a post-it note on your monitor!
- If you leave your computer for a period of time, LOCK IT!! Pressing the windows key and L at the same time, will do this for you.
- If you receive an email which looks suspect, the spelling is poor, the content does not ring a bell or\and it is from a strange sender; ask your IT provider to block the email and delete it.
- If you receive an email from a known contact, but the content is not what it appears – double click on the contacts name and their true identity will be revealed. service@paypal.co.uk could be MrHacker@hotmail.com, again, ask your provider to block it.
- If you need to use public networks ie hotels, café bars etc ensure you have a secure tunnel into your business, if working remotely. Your IT provider should be able to confirm this.
- Ensure you have adequate data rotations for your backups. Viruses can lay dormant for long periods of time, infecting your backups too.
- Ensure policies are in place for changing any firewall rules and ports – if you don’t have a firewall, get one QUICK !!!
- Microsoft or any other provider will never call randomly and ask to have access to your systems. Ensure your organisation and its team remains vigilant with any unauthorised access.
Consider the following for your business :-
- Locking down workstations so software can’t be installed without administrator rights.
- Knowing your backup procedures; where and how often your data is backed up.
- A policy in place for when staff leave the business and what happens to their access including associated password.
- Secure remote working via SSL or appropriate firewall devices.
- Patch management – ensure your systems are patched regularly. This one can be the difference between being safe and not (just ask the NHS).
Here at Jupiter IT, we do all this for our clients so they don’t have to worry. That’s why we are certified cyber safe from the government. If we can help feel free to contact us on cybersafe@jupiterit.cloud or 01482 974444
