With businesses today relying almost completely on virtual operations, defending your business against cyber attacks is a business-critical task. The research firm Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that by 2021, the cost of cyber-crime will cross $6 trillion annually, worldwide. Whether your business employs 4, 40 or 400 people, you could be at risk from cyber-attacks. Fortunately, there are steps to take to ensure that you are adequately prepared and protected from attack.
Keep systems up to date
Outdated software and operating systems will not have the same level of security as up to date versions. For example, if you are still using Windows 7, you will have far inferior protection compared to those using Windows 10. (For more on why you should upgrade to Windows 10, click here.) updated security software means that you have access to the latest technology, keeping you safe from attacks.
Protect your hardware
Devices such as mobile phones and laptops can be stolen and their data breached. You need to ensure that your hardware is secure and difficult to steal. Additionally, in the event that something is stolen, devices should be equipped with strong passwords to prevent access to sensitive data. Furthermore, if your business has migrated to the cloud, (for more, click here) you will be able to remotely wipe the device, thereby preventing a data breach. A strong firewall is also an important factor in cyber defence. A firewall is a network security device which monitors your network traffic and protects it from viruses and malicious code. It can also stop users from accessing certain external sites.
Train your employees
One of the most important aspects of keeping your business safe is empowering your employees to use technology safely. Train them in company security policy; for example, creating strong passwords and changing them every 30 days; being aware of potential malicious links that they receive through email or reminding them of procedures for encrypting personal data.
Backups and disaster recovery planning
Backing up your systems and archiving data is vital. Since the rise of cloud computing, this is quite simple and means that cyber-attacks, such as ransomware, pose less of a threat. An effective disaster recovery plan will ensure that, in the case of an attack, your business-critical operations will not be threatened.
Know your data
In order to protect your data, you need to know exactly what you’re protecting. For example, do you handle credit card data or other sensitive personal information? If this is the case, not only is it in your interest to protect this information, but you are obligated to comply with regulations such as PCI and GDPR.
Limit administrative capabilities
Not every employee needs to have access to all the information and data your business stores. The fewer people who have access to sensitive information, the smaller the risk of a data breach.
Cardonet can provide you with a comprehensive range of cyber security services to help you stay secure and, at the same time, help you demonstrate compliance with industry and regulatory standards. To find out more about our Cyber Security Services, please click here.
If you are concerned about cyber attacks and how it could affect your business, call us on +44 203 034 2244 or +1 323 984 8908 Alternately, you can contact us online. We will be happy to help you overcome your hotel IT challenges so that you can improve your guest experience and set your hotel apart. Cardonet have been working with businesses for the past twenty years to help them overcome their technological challenges. We have engineering bases in the United Kingdom, Europe and Southern California and our group of highly experienced engineers are available 24/7 to assist and ensure that your IT infrastructure is secure and running seamlessly.
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