5 Cybersecurity tips for small- and medium-sized businesses

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month occurs every October and educates the public about cybercrimes and how to avoid them. Its goal is to raise awareness and provide the general public with the resources to fight online threats by holding events where topics like cybersecurity policy in the workplace are discussed. Businesses shouldn’t wait for a special month devoted to cybersecurity to take action, though. Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) — which are most frequently the targets of hackers — should be vigilant year-round or risk becoming part of the 70% of SMBs that shut down within 6 months of being attacked. For Sabio’s cybersecurity technicians, awareness is a continuous undertaking. This is why businesses in Miami can be assured their IT systems are protected throughout the year. And while we recommend partnering with experts to protect your business, here are some tips you can implement yourself to fend off cybercrime.

#1. Regularly conduct cybersecurity training

Anti-malware software will detect and remove viruses and other threats, and alert you to suspicious entities within your network. It is indispensable to keeping your systems safe, but it’s not enough. In addition to cybersecurity software you must regularly conduct cybersecurity training for your employees. That’s because hackers can easily hack into your systems via social engineering scams of the sort that trick staff into handing over financial data or account logins — and it’s done without any kind of advanced technology. It’s done by sending fake emails purporting to be from a bank or other legitimate entity, or via fake technical support calls to unsuspecting employees. But it’s just one of the many ways hackers attack businesses. Educating your staff about the various threats to your company data not only keeps it secure, but it also reduces the legal and regulatory liabilities your company may face in the event of a breach.

#2. Keep anti-malware software up to date

Your may have installed strong anti-malware software that is keeping you safe, and you may have instituted a robust training program, but if the former ever falls out of date the latter isn’t going to matter. One of the best ways to ensure your antimalware is up to date is to make sure your computers’ operating systems are also up to date. Antivirus companies usually release their latest products to be compatible with the latest versions of popular operating systems.

#3. Implement stricter authentication policies

Passwords don’t provide complete protection from intruders, but they’re still highly necessary. And since The Cloud has made anytime-anywhere access to apps and sensitive data possible, it’s imperative to impose authentication policies that will protect employees using less secure networks such as public Wi-Fi in an airport or cafe. You should require employees to create long, hard-to-guess passwords that they change regularly. And you should also require all accounts — including email, online banking, and all your employees’ productivity applications — to have multi-factor authentication enabled to provide an additional layer of security beyond a simple password.

#4. Back up regularly

Whether you’re a 10-person law firm or a mid-sized digital marketing agency with 100 employees, the loss of critical data like client files or payment records can really hurt. Some organizations may survive a data-loss event, but many won’t. One thing’s for sure: a data breach will cost you money. However, with a sound data backup and disaster recovery system in place — one that backs up your system every 15 minutes and keeps your network up and running even while your server’s being fixed — you won’t lose sleep worrying about data safety.

#5. Work with a reliable local MSP

Staying safe from a variety of cyberthreats requires a comprehensive solution. However, implementing cybersecurity protocols takes time, dedication, and a certain level of expertise. What you need is a vigilant and well-informed staff and cybersecurity tools that will protect your systems round the clock. To help you achieve both, consider partnering with a managed IT services provider (MSP) like Sabio IT who can handle all cybersecurity challenges for your company, for a flat-fee monthly payment. Cybercrime campaigns serve a worthy purpose. But when you have cybersecurity specialists monitoring your systems’ safety 24/7, you’ll enjoy worry-free IT all year round and focus on growing your company. Miami IT services provider Sabio Information Technologies will keep your systems and networks protected round the clock. Get in touch with us today.