4 Easy Ways to Improve Cyber Security You Didn't Think Of
Published: 06/11/2018
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This article addresses a critical aspect that no business should overlook—security. Larger companies have the resources to hire teams of security specialists, but small businesses often do not. Therefore, we aim to educate small business and startup founders on how to enhance cybersecurity without incurring significant expenses.
With each piece of technology comes the risk of a cyber attack. Digital devices are now essential to businesses, meaning no company is immune to cyber threats. In fact, some of the most reputable companies in the world have fallen victim to breaches.
More significant organisations tend to have in-house teams skilled in preventing and responding to threats. Smaller companies, however, often lack the necessary expertise. This renders them considerably more vulnerable in the event of an attack. Just one breach could potentially lead to the demise of a small business. Our goal is to educate you on how to defend yourself.
To support our opening claims, let’s examine the numbers. A 2017 Ipsos Mori study found that more than half (52%) of the UK’s small businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the past year. The most common types of breaches were:
Fraudulent emails to staff (72%)
Viruses, spyware and malware (33%)
People impersonating the company in emails or online (27%)
Ransomware (17%)
The 2021 report indicates that despite advancements in security technology, the numbers remain high. As threats grow more prevalent and sophisticated, cybersecurity must be a top priority for your company, requiring your active participation.
If you don’t have a large budget, there are steps you can take to enhance your company’s cybersecurity at no extra cost. They are as follows:
Setting an example
Raising the awareness
Identifying potential risks
Setting a schedule for policy reviews
We acknowledge that these points are somewhat vague. Therefore, in this article, we will elaborate on each point separately.
To put it simply, if leaders proactively take steps to limit cyber risk, others are sure to follow. The era of a hands-off leadership board has long since passed. Today's successful businesses require present, vocal, and visible leaders. They should act as the team's driving force rather than as a taskmaster. This approach fosters an environment that focuses on ensuring security as well. Ultimately, your team needs to feel that you are not only protecting your business but also their workplaces and livelihoods. They will not perceive it that way unless they know you genuinely care.
However, we understand that as a founder, you are very busy and likely scattered throughout the world with countless other responsibilities. This is where technology comes to your aid. One way to safeguard company data is by implementing an information security management system (ISMS). An ISMS consists of a series of policies and procedures that will enable you to better manage sensitive data and ensure your defences are up to standard. You can reduce the administrative burden by using a virtual online security officer (VOSO) as part of it.
The Ipsos Mori survey showed that phishing emails and malware are two of the biggest threats to companies because they exploit human behaviour. It’s crucial to provide adequate training to your team on how to recognise and respond to these threats. The best approach is to introduce general cybersecurity training as part of the employee onboarding procedures. The format is entirely up to you; it can be a one-on-one walkthrough with a senior staff member, a course with a test at the end, a series of educational videos, or anything else.
Additionally, you can initiate cybersecurity training for your entire team once or twice a year. Due to the constantly growing concerns about cybersecurity and emerging threats, the number of specialists is extensive. It is highly likely that your company’s IT personnel are well-versed in protecting the organization from cyber attackers. Therefore, if you don’t have the resources to contact third-party specialists, you can arrange for in-house training. Additionally, encourage your employees to inform everyone in the company if they receive any questionable communication.
Given the urgency posed by threats such as data breaches or disruptions to business processes, you may feel pressured to implement any defensive measures quickly. However, take a moment to pause before proceeding. A risk assessment should be conducted prior to developing a cybersecurity programme. As we’ve previously discussed, a wide range of services and specialists are available, each addressing various types of cyber threats. Consider this analogy: you wouldn’t call a firefighter when what you truly need is a doctor.
Take note of all risks that could impact confidentiality, integrity, and the availability of information. While it may seem time-consuming, regular assessments will enable you to prioritise which risks need to be addressed and in what order. There are various types of cyber threats, and a company’s vulnerability to them will depend on factors such as industry, business type, operational procedures, software, and more. Using the previous example, you must first understand whether you’re facing a fire or an injury before calling for help.
Policies are documents outlining the company’s responsibilities for handling data. Those treated as a one-off task are highly susceptible to cyber breaches. They were likely created when the company was founded and have not been updated since. Procedures specify what, when, and how tasks should be performed internally. Together, these two business elements provide a helpful framework for leaders and staff to manage data. However, they can also present a goldmine for cybercriminals.
The evolution of cyberattacks is as rapid as the development of modern technology. This poses a significant risk to businesses with outdated policies and procedures. Therefore, conducting an annual or even biannual review of these core components should be mandatory from a cybersecurity perspective. This practice promotes smoother business operations and enhances communication with potential clients and partners. Moreover, it demonstrates that the company is serious and credible. The best part is that you can even partially automate these processes. For instance, you could set a series of reminders for when specific policies or procedures are due for scheduled reviews. However, keep in mind that you may sometimes need to reassess them due to changes in laws or the evolving industry landscape.
Cybersecurity has become a growing concern in recent years. However, many companies remain at a basic level of general awareness about the necessity of addressing it. Many still hesitate to take action, often dismissing it as either too costly to hire a specialist or too time-consuming to dedicate a day for team training. The truth is that it is neither. You can take simple steps to enhance your company’s security with little to no effort.
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