Cyber security sounds like an intimidating subject, and for the countless businesses here and abroad which rely on the internet and data to function on a daily basis, the health of their digital security is of vital concern. After all, what would happen to your daily productivity if suddenly all your order information was encrypted and unreadable—held for ransom via a Cryptolocker attack? Or if your closest competitors broke in an accessed your client list, allowing them to contact and attempt to convert each and every individual or business you sell to?
Cyber security is more than an abstract concept—it is a crucial collection of defenses and precautions built up around your businesses’ most vulnerable points. And yet, despite the wealth of jargon on the subject, basic business cyber security measures are actually surprisingly approachable and can be put in place quickly to your company’s great benefit. These include simple measures such as:
Secure WIFI
These days just about everyone has a password on their Wi-Fi router. However, not all Wi-Fi security options are equally secure and one of the most popular choices (WEP) is particularly weak. Instead, all Wi-Fi access points should use WPA-2 with AES in order to protect your information as it is transmitted between workstations and servers and also keep intruders out of your Wi-Fi network.
Robust Anti-Virus Software
Many threats to your company’s system exist as viruses and malware, and once these programs gain access to a computer they can spread to your network and complete their function, whatever it may be. All company workstations should have regularly updated antivirus software from a major supplier. Moreover, the software should be set to automatically scan for viruses and check for updates on a daily basis, while offering ongoing real-time scanning.
Encrypted Data
Data encryption offers an extra level of protection in the case that your data is, in fact, breached. By encoding your company files you make them impossible, or at least very difficult, for any intruders to read unless they have the key to decrypt that data. Much like anti-virus, data encryption software can be installed on computers and used to lock up important company data. Smart phones can also be encrypted, which is often useful if they are lost or stolen.
Automatic Data Backup
Above we mentioned Cryptolocker, a diabolical attack in which a Trojan gains access to a computer through an infected email attachment and, once inside, searches for and encrypts certain types of files stored on both local and mounted network drives. Then the program lets the computer’s owner know that if they want their files back, they need to send money to the program’s oversees authors.
In this situation, and countless more where data has been lost, eliminated, or overwritten, a robust automatic data backup system is the only real resort. This program should automatically back up important data and entire databases to a secure location such as a cloud server or local hard drive.
To get started on identifying your company’s data vulnerabilities and taking important steps to address them, contact Grundig IT of Walnut Creek, CA today at 925-528- 9081.
