In today’s highly connected world, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. With more and more businesses relying on technology to conduct their operations, the risk of a cyberattack is a real threat that cannot be ignored. This is especially true for work networks, which are often targeted by cybercriminals seeking to steal sensitive information or cause disruption. To keep your work network safe from cyberattacks, it’s important to have a comprehensive cybersecurity plan in place that includes regular updates, employee training, and the use of strong passwords and encryption. This brief introduction will explore some of the key steps you can take to protect your work network from cyber-attacks.
Cybersecurity should be one of your top business security concerns. Keep your network safe with these great tips
1. Protect your passwords
Are you someone who uses the same password for all your online accounts and applications? While it may be convenient, it also makes you an easy target for hackers looking to exploit your personal data. Just like you wouldn’t share your toothbrush with anyone else, you shouldn’t share your passwords, either. And just like a toothbrush, ensure to replace your passwords with new ones regularly.
To stay safe online, it’s important to use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. This means using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. And remember to change your passwords regularly to further reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
If you’re finding it hard to come up with strong passwords, don’t worry. Your IT department can help you create secure passwords and manage them for you.
2. Watch out for lurkers
It is crucial to be vigilant for potential security threats in the workplace, especially lurkers. These are hackers who are highly skilled at infiltrating your workplace undetected. These individuals may follow closely behind you as you enter the office building, gaining access through your keycard. The consequences of their presence can be devastating.
3. Lock your screen before someone else does
It’s important to keep your computer screen locked whenever you step away from your desk to prevent unauthorized access and potential security threats. Pressing the “ALT” key is a quick and easy way to lock your screen and ensure that your work stays private. By encouraging all employees to lock their screens, you can help protect sensitive information and mitigate the risk of malware or other malicious software being installed on company computers. Failure to do so could result in costly repercussions, including financial loss and legal consequences.
Storing important and sensitive data on a shared drive or cloud software is an excellent way to protect it from unauthorized access and potential security threats. Additionally, backing up your work to a cloud service ensures that critical business data is not lost in the event of a cyberattack.
5. Be careful with links
One should exercise extra caution when it comes to links. Cybercriminals put a great deal of effort into creating fake websites and emails that appear legitimate, with the ultimate goal of stealing sensitive business information and money. You may have received emails from courier companies or banks asking you to log in to your account, but these emails are often phishing attempts that can cause harm. It’s important to be wary of suspicious-looking emails and links.
To ensure the legitimacy of an email, it is crucial to check its source. For instance, an email with a sender name like “hotguy231” is unlikely to originate from a reputable institution like a bank. Therefore, if an email appears suspicious or illegitimate, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid interacting with it.
6. Regularly update your computer
Updating your computer regularly is an essential step for online security for your business systems. Software updates often contain security patches that address vulnerabilities in the system and can prevent hackers from exploiting them. As an employer, you can help your employees by notifying them of scheduled updates and emphasizing the importance of accepting them promptly. Ignoring updates or continuously clicking snooze can leave your system vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can lead to data breaches and other security issues.
7. Keep important information protected
Protecting important information like financial details is crucial in preventing identity theft and financial fraud. Scammers often use phone calls to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information like bank details and payment information. To avoid falling victim to these scams, never give out personal or financial information over the phone, especially if you are uncertain of the caller’s identity. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and call the organization back on a legitimate phone number to verify the authenticity of the call.
