10 Essential Cyber Security Tips for Small Businesses
Here are our top ten cybersecurity tips for small businesses. With over 15 years of experience helping small businesses protect themselves from cyber threats, we’ve seen first-hand how effective these strategies can be.
1. Using Password Protection
It’s essential to create strong passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection, requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app.
To simplify managing these passwords, using a password manager is highly recommended. A password manager not only helps generate complex passwords but also securely stores them, making it easier to manage multiple accounts without compromising security.
2. Getting Cyber Security Essentials Plus Certified
Achieving the Cyber Security Essentials Plus certification is a key step in protecting your sensitive data. This Government-backed certification ensures that your business has the necessary security measures in place to safeguard against common cyber threats. It involves an assessment of your current practices, including how you protect sensitive data, secure your systems, and manage potential risks. It’s an excellent way to build genuine trust with clients, showing them that you take their data protection seriously.
3. Using Antivirus Software and Firewalls
Antivirus software and firewalls are essential tools in protecting your business from malicious software and cyber threats. Antivirus software scans your system for harmful programs, while firewalls act as a barrier between your internal network and potential threats from the outside world.
Ensuring these tools are up-to-date with industry standards will help protect your business from a wide range of cyber threats, but remember, they’re just one point on this list: it’s important to consider all of them, and not settle for just having antivirus or firewall.
4. Keeping Your Systems Updated
Keeping your software and systems up-to-date is one of the most effective ways to protect your business from cyberattacks. Software updates often include patches that fix security vulnerabilities, making it harder for attackers to exploit your systems.
Automating these updates, or delegating them to an external IT support company, ensures that your systems are always protected without requiring constant manual intervention, allowing you to focus on running your business without worrying about cyber security gaps.
5. Backing Up Your Data
Regularly backing up your data to both cloud-based storage and physical storage ensures that you have multiple copies of your critical information. This way, even if your primary systems are compromised, you can restore your data and maintain business continuity with minimal disruption.
6. Implementing Encryption
When you encrypt your sensitive information, you ensure that even if someone gains unauthorised access, they won’t be able to make sense of the data without the encryption key. It’s simpler than it sounds, especially with the help of IT professionals.
7. Restricting User Access
Implementing the principle of least privilege (PoLP) is one of the best ways to protect customer information and other vital data. This means giving employees only the access they need to perform their jobs. Regularly monitoring and auditing access also helps ensure that only authorised personnel have access to critical data, further safeguarding your business from internal and external threats.
8. Protecting Remote Workers
If your team works remotely, ensuring a secure connection is essential. There are two ways to do this: using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or cloud computing. Both options help to protect against ‘eavesdropping’ and unauthorised access by encrypting data, and cloud computing comes with the added benefit of cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
Don’t forget about the mobile devices your team uses for work—these need to be secure too. Install security apps and use mobile device management to make sure your business’s data stays safe, even on the go.
9. Email Filtering
Email filtering is a simple yet powerful tool to protect your business from cyber threats like phishing and malware. While standard filters catch most spam, they can sometimes miss highly personalised phishing emails that are designed to look legitimate. That’s why having an advanced email filtering system is key—it adds an extra layer of security, making sure those tricky, targeted emails don’t slip through the cracks and reach your team.
10. Ongoing Cyber Security Training
Regular training helps build a strong security culture within your business, reducing the risk of human error that can lead to breaches and ensuring that your staff’s confidence in their cyber security knowledge remains high.
Our lessons at Your IT Department are bite-sized, making it easy for employees to fit them into their workday without disruption. We also incorporate simulated phishing attacks to test their awareness and improve their ability to recognise and respond to real threats.
Common Types of Cyber Attacks Targeting Small Businesses
What are some of the most common cyber attacks that small businesses experience?
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks often occur when a message mimics a trusted source, tricking recipients into sharing sensitive information. For instance, an email might appear to come from a known client or vendor, but it’s actually designed to steal data. Employee training and email filtering can help prevent these attacks.
Malware
Malware, often delivered via email attachments or infected websites, can corrupt files and disrupt business operations. Regular software updates and antivirus programs are key defences against such infections.
Ransomware
Ransomware attacks involve cybercriminals encrypting a business’s data and demanding payment for its release. This can be mitigated by regularly backing up data and educating employees on spotting suspicious emails.
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
A DoS attack is like overwhelming a store with too many customers, causing it to shut down. For small businesses, this means overwhelming their online services with traffic, making them inoperable. Implementing security tools like threat monitoring can help manage and prevent such attacks.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
MitM attacks are similar to someone intercepting a conversation between two people, altering or stealing the information exchanged. Ensuring a secure internet connection and utilising strong encryption is essential to prevent these types of attacks.
How to Choose a Cyber Security Company for Your Small Business
When picking a cyber security partner, it’s important to find a company that will really understand your business. Look for a team with a strong focus on customer care. You’ll want a provider who can offer solutions tailored to your specific needs, with proactive measures rather than reactive, so that you know they’re always on top of any problems that might come up.
Here are some questions to ask cyber security consultants:
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What experience do you have working with businesses in my industry?
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How do you keep up with the latest cyber threats?
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Can you provide reviews or case studies from similar clients?
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What’s your plan for handling security incidents?
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How do you help with compliance?
Why Choose Your IT Department?
At Your IT Department, we don’t just react to cyber threats—we anticipate them.
Our proactive approach means that we’re always ahead, ensuring that your systems are protected with the latest methods. Our experts work alongside technology to actively monitor your systems around the clock, catching issues before they can cause any harm. With experience across various industries, we understand the specific challenges you face and tailor our solutions accordingly.
But it’s not just about the technology, it’s about the relationship. We believe in putting customer service first. You’ll have a dedicated Account Manager who speaks your language—no jargon—and keeps you informed about your technology. They’ll regularly check in, getting to know your business inside and out to ensure you’re fully supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you’ll find answers to the top questions we often get about cyber security for small businesses. If you have any other questions, we’re here to help—just reach out!
What is a cyber attack?
A cyber attack is any attempt by cyber criminals to damage, steal, or disrupt your digital assets. There are different motives behind cyber attacks—some cyber criminals want to steal valuable data to use it, whilst others are looking to ransom it.
Learn more here: Cyber Security
How do I set up cyber security for my small business?
Getting started with cyber security for your small business doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with strong, unique passwords and make sure all your software is up-to-date. Backing up your data regularly is key, and adding antivirus software, firewalls, and securing your WiFi network helps too. Consider using a VPN or cloud for remote work and make sure your team is trained on best practices. If it feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to an IT professional for guidance.
Learn more here: Small Business IT Support
How much does cyber security cost for a small business?
Cyber security costs for small businesses can vary depending on the services and level of protection you need. To get a better idea of the potential costs for your specific situation, contact us for a quick estimate.
Learn more here: Your Cyber Security Consultant