[[:encoded, "Making sure your business has systems in place to withstand cyberattacks is one of the most important actions you need to do. As a business owner, you have an obligation to protect your company’s sensitive information, as well as your clients’ information.\n\nThe Equifax data breach of 2017 exposed the personal data of millions of people. As a result, Equifax had to pay $700 million in settlement fees. This is just one of many unfortunate examples. Smaller businesses may be even easier targets, which is why it’s very important to have a solid cybersecurity strategy in place.\n\nIf you’re not sure where to start, let’s review 6 tips to help you increase your company’s cybersecurity to protect your business.\n\n1. Use Secure Passwords and Multi-factor Authentication\n\nNot only should you have a strong password to sign into the various platforms and software that your business uses, it’s also good practice to change those passwords regularly and use multi-factor authentication.\n\nLonger passwords are better—at least 8 characters, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords can be hacked with automated software that tries every possible combination, so the longer your password is, the more combinations it has to try.\n\nMulti-factor authentication is when you need a password and an additional step. It’s also called two-step verification. This reduces the likelihood of a successful attack because there is additional information needed. Typically, this is a code sent to the user’s cell phone, or a code generated by a two-factor authentication (2FA) app such as Authy.\n\nYou can use a password manager to manage the various passwords for your accounts, so you’re not reusing the same one, or having to try and remember all the passwords you have for all your accounts. If one account gets hacked, then any other account using the same password can also more easily get hacked. And whatever you do, avoid using the word “password” as your password at all costs.\n\nThere are many password manger options. Some are:\n \n•\tDashlane\n•\tLastPass\n•\tLogMeOnce\n•\tKeeper\n•\tNordPass\n•\tBitwarden\n•\tRememBear\n•\t1Password\n•\tPasswordBoss\n•\tEnpass\n•\tRoboForm\n•\tZohoVault\n•\tTrueKey\n\n2. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network\n\nMake sure your Wi-Fi is secure and hidden. While your router typically comes with a pre-set password, make sure to change it immediately to something more secure. Additionally, if you offer free Wi-Fi to your guests, create a separate guest network with a different password, so they don’t have access to your company’s network.\n\nYou’re ultimately responsible for what people do on your network. By securing your guest network with a password, you can control who has access to it and make sure you’re not opening up your business to considerable risks.\n\nAlso check that encryption is enabled on your router. Encryption provides data security for sensitive information, and enabling it scrambles plain text that’s sent or stored on the web into unreadable, or “cipher text.” Once it’s sent to the end user, the text is unscrambled, or decrypted.\n\nIf you’re out of the office or in a public area, avoid using the free Wi-Fi network. As tempting as it may be to check your email at the airport, there are a lot of potential risks that come with a free public network, such as opening yourself up to hackers. Look for a network that’s secured with a strong password, and if you can’t find one and absolutely need to hop online, use your phone as a temporarily private hotspot.\n\n3. Backup Your Data Regularly\n\nIf your system gets hacked, not only will others gain access to sensitive information, but you may lose access to your own data. Backing up your data regularly to the cloud will still give you access to it if anything happens.\n\nRansomware attacks happen by locking you out of your data and preventing access until you pay a ransom fee. If you have a recent copy of your data, you don’t n
Unlock a blueprint to creating and having your ideal business and ideal life by scheduling your free consultation with me today!
Want more proven business success tips and resources? Subscribe to my blog by going to www.acountabilitycoach.com/blog.
Go to https://www.accountabilitycoach.com to check out for yourself how I, as your Accountability Coach™, can help you get and stay focused on you highest payoff activities that put you in the highest probability position to achieve your professional and personal goals, so you can enjoy the kind of business and life you truly want and deserve.
I’m the author of many books, including, Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule, Live Life with No Regrets, No Excuses, The Guide to Stopping Procrastination, The Power of Visualization, My Gratitude Journal, the Work Life Balance Emergency Kit, and The Roadmap To Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, and more.
Aim for what you want each and every day!
Anne Bachrach
The Accountability Coach™
Get your daily Accountability Minute shot of a single, simple, doable idea, so you can start your day off on the "right foot". You can find The Accountability Minute on your favorite platform
