Cybersecurity for companies is an area in which many businesses are worryingly lacking. If the events of 2021 on businesses are anything to go by, then companies are in for a massive surge in cyberattacks such as ransomware, but many enterprises are not prepared. The Kaseya hack, which was the biggest ransomware attack in history at $70,000,000, signals the development of security breaches and the need for companies to respond appropriately.
There are many other factors that compromise a company’s security. Remote working has increased network vulnerabilities, and these only serve to highlight many businesses’ inability to keep up with the changing cybersecurity world.
Companies can improve their cybersecurity in several ways to keep their businesses safe and secure. We’ve put together the main ways to enhance cybersecurity for companies.
1. Carry out a cybersecurity risk audit
Getting a cybersecurity risk audit can help a company work out its vulnerabilities when it comes to network security. An audit involves a specialized team scanning your network for common weak links and attempting to gain access to your network to see how easy it is for hackers to do so.
After the testing stage of an audit, companies will receive a detailed report about the current state of their cybersecurity, including flaws and even data compliance issues. An audit is an excellent first step for both large and small companies since it will help business owners know what problems they need to directly address with their cybersecurity.
2. Adapt the company network infrastructure
A company with good cybersecurity needs to operate a strong network infrastructure. This means operating secure routers and servers, up-to-date hardware and software, and two-factor authentication on all applications. Consider also creating access levels for certain applications to keep company data safe.
Given that more employees are working remotely, the network infrastructure will need to be adapted so that only approved individuals can securely access the network from outside the office walls. This will vastly improve the overall cybersecurity of a company.
3. Only allow approved devices access to the network
Just as you can on your home network, you can enable Mac address filtering on the company’s network. This means that only approved devices will be able to access the network so that you know that only employees can view and change company files and other data. This means your network’s cybersecurity is less likely to be compromised by bad actors.
4. Share a remote VPN with employees
Another way to improve a company’s cybersecurity is by creating a remote VPN server that only employees connect to. By rolling out a company-wide VPN server, employees working both on and off-site can connect to the VPN and gain secure access to the network and more.
5. Train employees to notice cybersecurity attacks
Be it a small or large company, there is always the risk that employees will be directly targeted. In fact, many cyberattacks on companies are a result of employee error. By teaching employees to recognize phishing scams, unsafe websites, and malicious online links, you can drastically reduce the chance of malware being downloaded onto the company network.
Employers can even conduct phishing simulations by sending ‘fake’ emails and seeing how many employees fall into the trap. This will then give a good idea of how many individuals need more training and should attend cybersecurity seminars.
Moreover, holding cybersecurity training courses that teach employees the essential knowledge to securely access the company network will help prevent cybercriminals from finding backdoors and stealing confidential data.
6. Destroy old hardware
Shocking as it may seem, some companies will just throw out old computers and other IoT devices without appropriately destroying the hardware. The hardware contains a lot of sensitive information, which can be extremely valuable to the right person. Companies should have a professional destroy old hardware when it is no longer needed.
7. Check new employees
Did you know that 30% of network breaches involve inside actors? Since security breaches can be more profitable than many jobs, many employees in companies are working with cybercriminals on the side. Therefore, it is vital to vet new employees to ensure they don’t have a criminal record related to cybersecurity breaches.
8. Hire a cybersecurity team
While it is a good idea to train all employees to have essential cybersecurity awareness, it makes sense to employ cybersecurity specialists whose job is dedicated to protecting the company network and assets. Hiring a security administrator or security analyst will ensure that your network’s infrastructure is up to scratch.
9. Have a contingency plan in place
Preparing for the worst-case scenario can help companies avoid too much damage and bounce back quickly. Having a recovery plan ready will improve a company’s cybersecurity, ensure fast responses to breaches, and enable employees to get back to business as soon as possible.
10. Keep up to date with cybersecurity developments
Finally, the most important thing companies can do to improve cybersecurity is to keep up to date with developments. This ensures that companies can quickly update their networks and security processes to ensure that they are well-protected against cybercrime.
It is also good to stay informed on cyberattacks, especially those against businesses. By regularly visiting cybersecurity websites, online forums, and listening to podcasts, companies will know what is going on in the cyber world and can adjust their cybersecurity to match the present-day events.
Improving cybersecurity for companies – the cost
Ramping up company cybersecurity doesn’t have to be extremely expensive and there are some things that companies can do without spending too much money. For example, investing in a good software for a solid network infrastructure can cost a few extra hundred dollars per month. Companies can also utilize third-party services such as VPNs or a hosting provider and find a reasonable price.
Hiring additional cybersecurity employees will undoubtedly be the biggest expense for a company but it is extremely worth investing in individuals who can keep businesses secure.
Hi, I'm Madeleine. I'm a British writer with a global background, currently based in the UK.
I have always been interested in the online world and how it connects people worldwide. My keen interest in the internet led me to ...
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