Since we all live in a fully gadgetized world, information is now one of the top valuable assets in the eyes of business owners. All those things like financial records, details about clients, employee data, passwords, and business plans … well, everything must be solidly protected. If anything is shared with third parties, you may instantly say goodbye to your reputation, money, and face a bag of problems. So, this is it? Well, not really. If you make sure to build the right habits, your business (big or small) will have an opportunity to reduce tons of risks.
Habit 1: No QWERTY Passwords
One of the biggest security risks is weak passwords. A lot of attacks succeed only because the passwords used by companies are easy to guess. If your passwords are still the names of your pet or your birthday, you should consider the following good password habits:
- There should be 12+ characters in your password.
- Never include names, birthdays, or common names.
- Mix numbers, letters, symbols, etc.
Never reuse the same password for multiple accounts. \If you aren’t sure whether you can remember all the passwords when they’re 100% different, use a password manager. It helps store and create strong passwords safely, so employees don’t have to memorize them.
Habit 2: Protect Physical Records and Devices
Although the world went totally online, not all sensitive information is digital. Things like paper files, laptops, iPads, and USB drives can be stolen, too. The simplest steps of protection include locking file cabinets, using screen locks on devices, never leaving your gadgets unattended in public places, encrypting portable devices, etc. Old documents should be shredded, not thrown in the trash. When you share files with someone else, use tools that allow you to hide or remove confidential information, such as a free redaction tool by PDFized, so you can reduce the risk of data leaks. The process of reduction is quick, while you’ll save your sanity, reputation, money, and, well, peace of mind.
Habit 3: Back Up Important Data (Don’t Skip This One!)
Important data can be gone forever because of cyberattacks, hardware failure, or simply because of accidental deletion. But worry not! If you and your team have a habit of backing up data daily or weekly, storing backups in at least two locations (cloud + external drive), and testing backups (to make sure they actually work), you’ll always be the winner. If your business ever happens to deal with ransomware attacks, backups can save you from paying expensive demands.
Habit 4: Secure Your Wi-Fi and Networks
What is an unsecured network? Well, to make it easy for you to understand, imagine having your office door wide open, so that anyone can come in, take whatever they want, and just leave. The good news is that there is something you and your colleagues can do:
- Use only strong Wi-Fi passwords.
- Hide your network name if possible.
- Use encrypted connections (WPA3 or WPA2).
- Create a separate guest Wi-Fi network for visitors.
If your team also includes remote workers, it is better to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), so you have some extra safety ‘ingredient.’
Habit 5: Be Careful with Emails and Links
When it comes to hackers, they tend to break into businesses through email (the most common way). Make sure you’re aware of all the warning signals that this or that email is dangerous. They include urgent messages demanding quick action, or if the message comes with an unexpected attachment. Is there an absolutely unknown sender? Or perhaps you see the totally misspelled company names or strange links? Stay away from opening those ‘boxes with surprises.’ Plus, ensure your employees never ever send passwords through email and always verify requests for money or sensitive data.
Habit 6: Never Ignore Updates to Software
There’s no doubt that you hit the remind me later button when it’s time for a software update. But the point is that those updates aren’t just about new features. They usually come with critical patches for security vulnerabilities. If you just skip or delay those updates, you leave your systems like the door with the welcome sign for hackers, who will attack the very moment an opportunity comes. What can you do? Here’s something useful:
- Have a schedule for regular updates for all devices, operating systems, and software.
- Consider an automated patch management solution to handle updates for you.Â
Habit 7: Work on Your Data Protection Policy & Train Your Team
Every business (with no exception) should have a simple data security policy that explains how all the data should be stored and who can have direct access to it. Besides, you have to make it clear how passwords should be used and what the team should do if a breach happens. When there’s a clear policy, every member of the staff understands their responsibility and ensures quick action during an emergency.
Data security doesn’t need a PhD to deal with. However, a lot of security breaches happen because people who work for you make mistakes (not because of hackers). The most common employee risks include clicking on fake emails (phishing) or sharing passwords. Plus, some of your personnel may use unsafe public Wi-Fi or download unknown files. To avoid these risks, it is better to provide simple training once or twice a year. Some quick sessions will help employees spot phishing scams and handle customer data properly. At the same time, make sure they know reporting suspicious activity quickly is a must. While there are some top security protection apps out there, a well-informed team is one of your strongest security defenses.
Why Do These Habits Matter?
Those are very simple yet effective habits that were successfully tested by businesses in all different niches. If you do your best to protect sensitive information, it won’t just let you avoid hackers. It also helps you:
- Build trust with all the clients.
- Avoid legal penalties.
- Protect your reputation.
- Prevent financial losses.
- Keep your business running smoothly.
As you can see, security is not just a one-time setup. It is a daily habit that should be part of your business routine.
It Is Always About a Small Change
To make a big difference? No need to go grandiose. Instead, you can cultivate a range of minor yet effective habits that can have serious consequences for your business. Taking these steps one by one on a regular basis will let you build a stronger foundation for your cybersecurity strategy.
