5 Best Cybersecurity Practices for the New Year
Strong cybersecurity prevention today requires more than antivirus software and consistent monitoring. An effective cybersecurity defense is comprehensive, multipronged and never 100% complete. As we begin a new year sure to include its fair share of security incidents, let’s review five must-follow best practices critical to any cybersecurity arsenal.
1. Cybersecurity Awareness Training
The weakest cybersecurity link in any organization is people. Regardless of role, every employee can unwittingly become a fast gateway to your network through simple human error. Cybersecurity training equips employees with skills and know-how to identify sophisticated threats and, ultimately, safeguard your organization. Effective cybersecurity awareness training should cover:
- Social engineering red flags: Helpful cybersecurity tips include how to recognize the tell-tale signs of social engineering attacks. These attacks work by impersonating trusted entities, such as banks or online retailers, to trick employees into revealing confidential information or downloading malicious attachments.
- Strong passwords: Strong passwords are instrumental in maintaining an effective cybersecurity defense. Training on how to create unique, complex and memorable passwords for online accounts can go a long way in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive business data.
- Safe browsing habits: Potential threats lurk even when browsing the internet. Employees should use secure and up-to-date web browsers with built-in phishing and malware protection and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources.
2. Up-to-Date Software and Hardware
If you’ve been ignoring software and hardware updates, you could be setting yourself up for trouble. These updates typically include more than new features and enhanced capabilities. They also often include essential patches, critical fixes and security updates that address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Software and hardware kept current with the latest updates are much less vulnerable to hackers and less likely to crash and cause costly business disruptions. It’s worth mentioning that prioritizing software and hardware updates also maximizes performance and extends product lifespan.
3. Backup and Disaster Recovery Services
In today’s modern business world, where most transactions rely on data, businesses can’t afford to take any chances. If you don’t have a reliable backup and disaster recovery plan in place now, get one. You can’t prevent whatever natural disaster, human error or cyber attack may be around the corner. But you can proactively plan for unexpected events so your business can survive them.
4. Compliance Regulations
As we move into 2024, cybersecurity prevention regulations are anticipated to get stricter. Rules around data protection, corporate responsibility, reporting and transparency are expected as a response to increasingly sophisticated threats. When it comes to compliance adherence, technical expertise is no longer enough. Modern businesses require a well-rounded skillset in enterprise risk management and a deep understanding of evolving compliance laws and regulations.
5. Personalized Technology
Today’s savvy business owners are realizing a one-size-fits-all approach to IT does not adequately address cybersecurity needs. If you’re looking for best-of-breed security strategies tailored to your unique business goals, challenges and budget, partner with an experienced managed service provider.
Whether you have a large organization or a small business, cybersecurity is critical to survival. And as threats evolve, so do the best cybersecurity practices to combat them. When you’re looking for a technology partner who makes your cybersecurity a top priority, schedule a free consultation.