Your company is doing well, but there’s something off. Your networks seem to be slowing down, you’re noticing data leaking from the company, and you’ve suffered recent cyberattacks. It’s probably time to update your cybersecurity, but where do you start? How do you know for certain when it needs to be done?
In this guide, we’ll cover five signs that your company needs to tighten up its cybersecurity. You’ll be amazed at how something as simple as a bad password can put the whole business at risk!
1. Weak or Recycled Passwords
One of the most vulnerable links in the cybersecurity chain is your company passwords. How are you creating passwords? Are you allowing employees to create their own passwords? If so, do you know for sure that they’re creating good passwords?
Recycling passwords is a cardinal sin when it comes to cybersecurity. Never, under any circumstances, should you use the same password for multiple accounts. If a hacker steals or cracks your password, they’ll have access to more than just the website they stole it from. That’s a scary thought. You wouldn’t have all of the keys to your house, lockbox, and car be the same, would you? Of course not, because that would be dangerous and irresponsible.
The same goes for passwords. Recycled passwords are off-limits, especially in a business setting. Not to mention, weak passwords can be just as bad. Don’t include personal information, numbers, or anything else in a password that ties to the person or organization. A good password is a random combination of numbers, symbols, upper and lower-case letters, and even random phrases.
2. You’re Not Using A Password Manager
If you’re not using a company password manager, you’re doing your business and your employees a disservice. Password managers are some of the simplest, easiest, and most affordable cybersecurity tools out there, and offer next-level protection for your login credentials.
Passwords should be stored and managed somewhere that’s not connected to your business’s network. If you’re still using sticky pads, spreadsheets, or Word documents to store passwords, you’re putting those passwords at risk of being stolen or compromised. A password manager will store and organize passwords, help you create stronger passwords, auto-fill websites and apps, and much more.
Plus, the password manager exists on a completely different server, so if your business network is at risk, your passwords should be safe on the cloud.
3. Your Employees Know Nothing About Cybersecurity
Do your employees know about cybersecurity? Do they understand the vital role they play in the company’s network security? If not, it’s time to ramp up your efforts and get everyone trained and educated on just how important cybersecurity is. If your employees don’t even understand the importance of a good password, you’re going to face a breach at some point.
Teaching your employees about cybersecurity starts with teaching them about the importance of passwords. Using a password manager is the easiest way to do this, as it will allow everyone to store passwords in the same place, and generate more secure passwords for their login credentials.
Be sure to have monthly or semi-annual training sessions on cybersecurity. The more information you provide, the more informed your employees will be. Informed employees are much better at keeping cybersecurity in mind while creating passwords or accessing the company’s network.
4. You’re Not In Compliance
Certain industries, like the financial sector, have very specific compliance laws they need to follow when it comes to cybersecurity. If you’re out of compliance, it’s time to make the necessary changes to ensure you’re not going to incur fines or penalties. If you’re out of compliance and a cyber attack puts personal information at risk, you could be in serious legal trouble.
There are certain cybersecurity standards for businesses that are required by law. Ignoring these could mean the end of your business, so take them seriously! Spend the money or make the changes necessary to keep yourself within regulations so your business doesn’t suffer later on.
5. You’ve Suffered A Cyber-Attack Recently
If your business has been the victim of a cyber-attack recently, you’re already at risk. Obviously, some part of your network was vulnerable, and it’s time to do a thorough and honest analysis of the entire network. You’ll need to know where, when, and how the breach occurred, and quickly analyze the rest of your network for any other problems.
It’s always best to act quickly during a cyber-attack. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done, and the more costly it will be to recover from the attack. Don’t wait to address the problem!
A Digital World
We live in a digitalized world. Most systems are online now, and that means there are always people looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. Whether you’re a larger corporation or a small business, taking cybersecurity seriously can mean the difference between life and death for the business. A breach can cost millions of dollars, and sometimes, all it took was a bad password to start an avalanche of cybersecurity issues.
Disclaimer: This content does not necessarily represent the views of IWB.