According to a ConnectWise 2022 cybersecurity report, more than three-fourths of the small- and medium-sized businesses that responded have had a cybersecurity attack affect them. If you’re like many other business leaders, then you’re probably asking the question, “How do I protect my company against cyberattacks?” This cybersecurity awareness month is an excellent time to take steps to help defend your company against cyberattacks. Here are five simple yet effective ways for how to improve cybersecurity in your company.
1. Acceptable use policy (AUP)
According to Paul Kirvan on Tech Target, an acceptable use policy contains regulations for a type of asset, such as an organization’s internal network. The asset can only be used on the condition that the policy is accepted. An AUP can include a plethora of different rules and regulations, including banning behaviors such as spamming or stealing assets, giving disciplinary statements, and more. This helps a company because it sets clear expectations of behavior for a user.
To create an AUP, we recommending consulting team of IT professionals who can help make sure your AUP is comprehensive. It is also a good idea to involve company leadership from every part of your organization, as well as your legal team.
2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
According to SentinelOne, multi-factor authentication involves using at least two different methods of verification to sign into a system to keep it secure. An important part of MFA is that there needs to be at least two methods of verification that come from two different categories of expertise. For example, you would type in a code that was sent to another device in addition to providing a password.
MFA provides more cybersecurity because it keeps someone from being able to access and/or damage an account just because they have one method of verification, such as a password. There are many MFA software options available today. An IT company with cybersecurity offerings should be able to assist with the procurement, implementation, and MFA training.
3. Security awareness training
According to KnowBe4, security awareness training is when the people working for an organization are instructed on how to keep company property, such as data, and the people who work there secure. Security awareness trainings are so important because they ensure that there is a human element of your business that can work to keep a cyberattack from hurting your business. For example, employees will be more equipped to safely handle infected emails in everyday life if they are taught how cybercriminals try to deceive.
When deciding on a security awareness training, it is important to use a variety of methods to teach your employees. Hands-on training is crucial to a good security awareness training. In Clear Winds Technologies’ security awareness training solution, we even send phishing email tests to your employees to test their knowledge on how to catch and handle spam emails that could contain viruses.
4. Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Endpoint Detection and Response is a tool that identifies and responds to cyberattacks that could infect your data environment. When it finds a cyberattack, EDR quarantines infected devices so the attack does not infect the remaining data environment.
EDR is currently an important replacement for antivirus because hackers have become sophisticated enough to hack through antivirus to the point where it is not comprehensive enough for organizations. In addition, few antivirus software applications can anticipate unknown cyberattacks, which is something that EDR can do more effectively.
With EDR, your business receives enhanced protection against cyberattacks that antivirus simply cannot offer. For businesses looking how to improve cybersecurity in a company, this is a great way to do it. Read more about EDR here.
5. Security information and event management
According to Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd., security information and event management is a solution that tracks a corporate network’s data, can offer information to help correct issues, and notifies the right people if problem occurs with the safety of the network.
Although SIEM and EDR both take care of your network and are important, there are differences between the two solutions. EDR works to ensure minimal harm comes to the devices or other endpoints that have access to the network. On the other hand, SIEM acts as a network monitoring system.
Want a specific plan on how to improve cybersecurity in a company?
Clear Winds Technologies is an Alabama-based IT solutions company with a 20+ year track record of helping organizations improve their cybersecurity. Clear Winds serves organizations throughout the United States and provides cybersecurity as a service to organizations of any size. Clear Winds cybersecurity service for business includes cybersecurity planning, 24/7 monitoring, software procurement, and remediation. To get a tailored cybersecurity plan for your organization, or proposal for cybersecurity monitoring, begin by scheduling a free consultation. Regain your peace of mind and ensure your company is protected against cybersecurity threats today!
