No business is safe from cyber threats. We’ve heard it time and time again, yet many places still continue to make common cybersecurity mistakes that make them vulnerable to attack. We regularly see widely publicised attacks on larger firms, but no one thinks it will happen to them. The truth is over 43% of all data breaches involve small to medium-sized businesses, therefore everyone needs to remain vigilant. In this article we cover the common cyber security mistakes to ensure your business doesn’t become part of the statistics.
Not updating your software
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your organisation is to keep your software up to date. With hackers using more sophisticated techniques than ever before, you need to ensure there are no entry points for hackers, as these will be exploited. Keeping your software updated also helps to improve the overall user experience and keeps software running efficiently.
No employee training
We hate to say it, but human error is one of the most common cyber security mistakes that leads to security breaches. This is why businesses should take the time to educate their employees on common cyber threats. Keeping everyone informed means that people know what to look out for and what to do in a situation where they feel the systems are at risk. Without adequate training, you also increase the risk of cyber attack, no matter how robust your awareness or security software is.
Weak passwords
If your password is 1234, then this one is for you. Weak passwords are a common way for outsiders to access your business systems. Protecting business data and reducing cybersecurity risks requires a strong password policy.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another way that you can add in another layer of extra security. Basically, MFA is an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an application, online account, or a VPN.
Trusting public Wi-Fi
Be wary of Wi-Fi connections in public spaces as these aren’t always secure. It can be easy to join a fake network accidentally or for a hacker to launch an attack. You should try using a VPN in public Wi-Fi settings or connect once you get to a known and secure location.
No cybersecurity policies in place
Does your business have a cybersecurity policy? A cyber security policy sets the standard for cyber behaviour within your business and helps to keep everyone on the same page. Don’t assume employees have the same idea for creating strong passwords or securely accessing business data. A policy can help identify threats and explain employee responsibilities for protecting business data.
Doing it alone
Do you have an IT partner or are you doing it alone? Assigning one person to be responsible for your IT network or managing it yourself is also one of the top common cybersecurity mistakes. The most secure way to protect your business is to get support from qualified IT professionals.
At Bridgeall we have a wide range of experience working across a full range of technology solutions to protect you against these threats. You can see more about our cyber security offering on our website.
We also can help you to improve your security, compliance and governance with Microsoft 365 security. Microsoft 365 Enterprise, Mobility + Security (EMS) provides an effective platform to help protect against advanced threats, personal data loss and unauthorised access. You can find out more about Microsoft 365 security here.
