As a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. You’re responsible for managing your team, increasing sales, and ensuring that your customers are happy. Cybersecurity should be at the top of your list of priorities. Unfortunately, many businesses make cybersecurity mistakes that leave them vulnerable to attacks.
In this article, we will discuss eight of the most common cybersecurity mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Using MFA
MFA, or Multi-Factor Authentication, is one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts from being hacked. Yet, many businesses still don’t use it. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password when logging into an account. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
2. Trying to Handle IT By Yourself
Cybersecurity is a complex and ever-changing field. It’s important to have someone on your team who is dedicated to keeping up with the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices. Trying to handle all of this yourself is a recipe for disaster. You likely don’t have the time or the needed expertise to dedicate to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is best left to the professionals.
3. Using the Same Password For Multiple Accounts
We’ve all been guilty of this at some point. It’s easier to remember one password than it is to remember multiple passwords. However, using the same password for multiple accounts is a huge security risk. If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they will then have access to all of your accounts that use the same password.
To avoid this, use a different password for each of your accounts and make sure to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
4. Not Doing Employee Security Awareness Training
Your employees are the first line of defense when it comes to cybersecurity. They need to be aware of the dangers of cybercrime and the steps they can take to protect themselves and your company. Employee awareness training should be conducted on a regular basis.
5. Not Having a Disaster Recovery Plan
No one likes to think about the possibility of their business being hit by a natural disaster or another catastrophic event. However, it’s important to have a plan in place in case something does happen. Your disaster recovery plan should include information on how to back up your data, how to restore access to your systems, and who to contact in case of an emergency.
6. Neglecting Software Patches
One of the most common cybersecurity mistakes is neglecting software patches. Hackers are always looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities in software. When a patch is released, it’s important to install it as soon as possible. This will help to keep your systems secure.
7. No System Monitoring
Another common cybersecurity mistake is not monitoring your systems for signs of intrusion. Hackers can gain access to your systems without you even knowing it. By monitoring your systems, you can spot suspicious activity and take steps to prevent an attack.
8. Ignoring Email Security
Email is one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to accounts. They will send phishing emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company or website in an attempt to get you to enter your login information. Once they have your login information, they can gain access to your account and any sensitive data that you have stored there.
To protect yourself from these attacks, you should enable two-factor authentication for your email account and be cautious of any emails that look suspicious.
How INSC Can Help You Stay Safe
At INSC, we have a team of cybersecurity experts who are dedicated to protecting our clients from cyber threats. We offer a variety of services that can help to keep your business safe, including cybersecurity assessments, training, and managed services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your business from cybersecurity threats.