4 Critical Success Factors for Workplace Cybersecurity

Companies of any size can be easily taken down without the proper cybersecurity precautions in place. While small and medium-sized companies are especially vulnerable, even big corporations cannot be complacent. Cybersecurity measures are, therefore, important for every business to prioritize.

Here are 4 factors to keep in mind when securing your workplace.

Encourage Employee Training

No matter how well your business’s software defenses work, there is always a chance for a hacker to get into your system. Required training for anyone who has authorized access to a company system is paramount for a successful cybersecurity plan. This includes the ability to identify digital traps, such as phishing emails and social engineering techniques (which lure individual users into making critical mistakes by downloading malware onto their devices), question anyone unfamiliar in the office, and lock up all digital and physical resources when not in use.

Active Watching is Critical

Regularly monitoring and testing digital defenses to identify weaknesses are also a necessary aspect of successful cyber defense. Instances of system flaws should be shared with employees to educate and train staff of potential defense failures.

Anticipate the Worst, Plan for Recovery

Redundancy and backup systems are also critical for security planning. Potentially, someone could get into a company database and do some damage. Anticipating this risk and regularly creating separate information copies that are protected allows a company to get back up and running quickly. This is a critical defense in situations where resources are compromised or lost, such as in ransom ware attacks.

Use Doors Effectively

Keeping basic doors shut in terms of digital and physical aspects is key in avoiding 9 out 10 attacks. From a digital perspective, software tools are frequently being updated. Good cybersecurity maintains regular patching and updating, no matter how inconvenient it may be. Failure of one device to update its client software can potentially mean an open door for a hacker who finds it. Physical “doors” include any access to information by physical means. That includes everything from building doors, the paper recycled from the office, and all other means for simple, low-tech attacks and gaining information for hacking a system.

If you’re interested in pursuing cybersecurity or want to learn more about why it’s so important today, visit Maryville University online.

Sources

CSO Online – 6 biggest business security risks and how you can fight back

Federal Communications Commission – Cybersecurity for Small Business

Security Intelligence – The Role of Human Error in Successful Security Attacks