Cyber attacks are happening more frequently, and it’s only going to get worse. Hackers are taking advantage of the lack of knowledge and the abundance of gaps in companies’ networks.
As your company grows and continues to make use of the latest technology to power your business, it has become more important than ever to ensure that your data is protected from cyber threats.
You, your employees, and even your customers could be the target of identity fraud or worse if these hackers gain access to your information.
There are things that you may not be doing that could be leaving sensitive information at risk. This article discusses 4 things that make your company more vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Not Using Complex Passwords
Brute force hacking is one of the simplest and most common forms of cyber attacks company’s face. This method is basically when an attacker uses software to attempt to guess a password using many combinations of letters and numbers.
For obvious reasons, the more complex your password is, the less likely someone will be able to guess the correct arrangement. Strong passwords contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
As a business owner, you are responsible for the safety of any sensitive data that might be at risk. A strong password policy is a great first step to keeping things secure.
Not Changing Your User Passwords
Even the strongest of passwords can still be cracked. As a second line of defense, passwords should be changed at least every 30-60 days. This ensures that, even if a password is compromised, it becomes a non-factor.
Internal password leaks, especially amongst employees, are sometimes more common than someone outside the company gaining a hold of one. By creating complex passwords and changing them often, you help protect everyone’s sensitive data.
Not Using Cyber Security Software
Most cyber attacks occur on outdated and vulnerable networks. Security scanner software helps ensure that your network is safeguarded.
High quality cyber security software periodically scans for malware and other system irregularities. It also frequently checks for the latest updates and patches, then applies them. These updates are pushed by developers fairly often, and if you don’t have security software, you may miss (or just not feel like) updating your network.
This leaves it extremely vulnerable to cyber attacks. Do the safe thing and consider using cyber security software.
Not Being Strict in Managing User Accounts
If you use technology in your business, there’s a high chance that you will eventually need an outside expert to fix or make changes to your system.
Far too often, companies hire consultants or contractors, give them administrative access, and let them run wild. This is a great way to leave yourself and your company susceptible to cyber attack.
You should always practice strict management of user accounts for employees both inside and outside the company. Only a select few qualified and highly trusted individuals should have access to top tier information.
Conclusion
You are ultimately responsible for the protection of you, your employees’, and your customers’ private information. Not doing the right things to secure your network and protect against cyber attacks can be just as bad as doing the wrong things.
Follow the advice in this article and you’ll be in a much better cyber-safe situation.