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The world we live in is full of risks, but there are also ways to protect ourselves. As the threat of cyberattacks against startups becomes more imminent, it is important to understand how to protect your startup business against these threats. Here are some cybersecurity tips that will protect your startup account and enable you to have the best possible online presence.
Protect Your Home Network
Every device connected to the Internet creates a potential entry point for hackers. Protect your business against cyber threats by making sure that every device on your network has up-to-date security updates and antivirus software installed. You should also make sure that all devices have unique passwords and change them regularly.
Secure Your Payment Information
If you accept credit card payments through your website or app, then you will want to make sure that all of your payment information is secure. This means using HTTPS encryption when transmitting sensitive data over the Internet and storing sensitive data in encrypted form on your servers or databases. If possible, avoid storing any credit card data at all — instead, try using services like Stripe or PayPal, which store this information securely on their own servers.
Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
Firewalls and IDSs are usually installed for information security to detect malicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or denial-of-service attacks, by monitoring network traffic and warn administrators when they occur. You can also use firewalls on individual computers to block intruders from accessing sensitive information on infected machines (called host-based firewalls).
Consider Mobile Device Security Carefully
Employees often bring their own mobile devices to work, which means that they could inadvertently introduce malware into your network if they don’t take proper precautions. If your employees use mobile devices for work purposes, make sure that they install antivirus software on those devices as well as on any computers used by them. Encourage them to use strong passwords on all accounts, including email accounts and social media profiles such as Facebook and Twitter. Also, consider installing a firewall on all computers connected to your network so that none of them can be accessed remotely without permission from an administrator account (which is usually only available to IT personnel).
Establish and Enforce a Cybersecurity Policy for Your Employees
Establishing an effective cybersecurity policy will help protect all of your data from attack by hackers or other malicious actors who want access to sensitive information such as customer data or trade secrets. Establishing policies that protect against breaches like social engineering attacks (in which hackers call employees under false pretenses.
Be Selective About How You Access Your Bank Accounts
Many companies don’t realize that the information they provide to banks can be used in ways other than what’s specified in their accounts. For example, if you’re storing sensitive data on cloud services and you use your banking information to log in, hackers could gain access to the data by targeting your bank account. To avoid this risk, choose a two-factor authentication method that requires something extra besides just a username and password to log in — like an SMS message or biometric device.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is software that allows an employee to access the Internet from a remote location. The software creates an encrypted connection between the user’s computer and the company’s network, and it hides their data from hackers. This is especially important for companies with employees who travel frequently or work remotely.
Encryption
Encrypting your data, whether it’s stored in the cloud or on your computer, is one of the most obvious yet effective ways to protect yourself against hackers. Encryption scrambles data so that it’s unreadable to anyone but those with the right decryption key. If you’re going to keep sensitive data on your computers or in the cloud, encrypting it will make it harder for hackers to access it.
Backup Systems
Make sure your backups are up-to-date and secure. If possible, store them offsite in case your office gets burglarized or damaged by fire or natural disaster. You might also want to consider storing backup copies in the cloud if local storage isn’t possible or practical.
Updates and Patches
Update your operating system and applications regularly — especially if there is a known security hole that needs fixing. Be sure to apply all patches that come with new versions of software releases (such as Microsoft Office), too. Also, check for updates from third-party vendors like antivirus software companies.
Conclusion for Cybersecurity Tips
There’s no denying that an online presence is a big part of your business, and it’s important to make sure that your business can, in turn, be reputed when it comes to interacting with customers and delivering a product or service. Review all the tips we shared above so you can ensure you are providing the best security for your business.
