10 Common Cybersecurity Mistakes to Avoid for Your Business
Keeping your company’s data safe online requires knowing what can hinder your progress. Here are common cybersecurity mistakes to avoid for your business.
Cyber attacks are on the rise, expected to cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. No business is safe from cyber threats, but many continue to make common cybersecurity mistakes that leave them vulnerable to attack. Are you taking sufficient steps to protect your business?
Cyber attacks are malicious attempts by hackers to damage a computer system and steal or destroy information. A successful cyber attack can be devastating for your business. It can lead to loss of money, data, and business reputation.
Now is the time to step up and take sufficient steps to protect your business. One of the best places to start is to know what not to do. Here are the top ten most common cybersecurity mistakes your business should avoid.
1. Denial of Common Cyber Threats
One of the biggest and most common cybersecurity mistakes is denial. Many small and medium businesses read about attacks on larger firms but do not think hackers will be interested in their business. In fact, over 43% of all data breaches involve small or medium-sized enterprises.
There are many common cyber threats, and no business is exempt from them. Hackers are not picky when it comes to who they target. Instead, malware will target those who are vulnerable, which is often businesses in denial that they are at risk.
Take sufficient steps to manage common cyber threats. Begin to assess what action is needed for protecting business data and ensuring your security practices are secure.
2. Neglecting Regular Software Updates
The ominous notification for a software update can send shudders down workers’ spines. It is natural to delay an update if you are about to go into a meeting or have an urgent deadline. But regular software updates help keep your business data secure by taking steps to:
- Fix security weaknesses
- Address known threats
- Fixing computer bugs
- Improve user-experience
Software updates prevent hackers from exploiting weak entry points for your organization. But updates also improve your experience and ensure your software is as efficient as possible, which can also lead to more satisfied clients.
So, the next time you receive a notification for a software update, download it as soon as possible. It might mean you need to pause your workday, but it can save significant time that you would spend on data recovery.
You can also implement a time where all or a percentage of employees update the software on their devices, and everyone can take a well-deserved break. Or turn on automatic updates to guarantee software stays up to date.
3. Falling for Common Cyber Threats
One of the biggest cybersecurity mistakes is falling for common cyber attacks, usually due to a lack of awareness. And as they say, prevention is better than cure, which is why falling for a typical cyber-attack can be highly damaging.
It can take a long time to detect a cyber attack on your system without the proper monitoring software, by which point the damage is already done. Common cyber threats for businesses include:
- Phishing attacks
- Malware attacks
- Ransomware
- Insider threats
One of the most common cyber threats is a phishing attack and other spoofing techniques. These are when a hacker disguises themselves as a trusted source, usually by email, calling, GPS, IP, or text messaging.
Gone are the days of an obvious phishing email or call, such as someone promising you something too good to be true, such as sums of cash. For example, 38% of malicious attachments are now masked as a Microsoft Office file or similar item. Hackers can use caller IDs, IPs, and emails to appear extremely convincing.
4. No Training for Employees
It is the responsibility of all businesses to educate their employees on common cyber threats. If employees are not aware of dangers, you increase the risk of cyber attack, no matter how robust your security software or awareness is.
Phishing attacks are common for employees to encounter. Often it involves a hacker pretending to be a trusted contact, sending an email that encourages the employees to download a malicious link. This link then gives the hacker access to business data.
However, it can be hard to identify a phishing attack, as they are becoming more sophisticated. Malware attacks are also easy to fall prey to if employees download from an untrusted website, connect with an infected device, or click on spam emails.
Ransomware attacks and insider threats are also common for businesses. However, if you educate employees on common cyber threats, they will know what to do to avoid attacks. It also deters insider attacks, as your business will have a strong culture of business cybersecurity.
If you are unsure how to educate employees, consider hiring a cybersecurity company to provide training. The investment will save you business downtime, costly recovery, and reputation damage, which is more likely to happen without employee cyber awareness.
5. Not Creating Strong Passwords
Weak passwords are a typical way for outsiders to access your business systems. Protecting business data and reducing cybersecurity risks requires a strong password policy. Creating strong passwords can include:
- Not recycling passwords
- Using two-factor authentication
- Use longer passwords with a mixture of upper and lower case letters
- Not using keyboard patterns such as ‘12345’
- Using random passwords not anything relevant to you or your business
- Using one-time access passwords
Recycling passwords or using an obvious password is one of the easiest ways to invite a data breach. However, taking steps to create strong passwords reduces this risk.
Two-factor authentication adds additional security to your account. Your employees will have to provide another login credential to gain access, which can include:
- One-time passcode
- Secret answer
- Confirming on a different device
You can also control access to specific business systems, which can improve your business cybersecurity. Do all employees need the same level of data access?
One-time passwords can be a solution that enables an employee to securely access data one time. You can reduce how many people have constant access to data and improve your password security.
6. No Cybersecurity Policy
A critical factor in reducing cybersecurity risks is to have a cybersecurity policy in your organization. However, most businesses do not have one. A survey found that 60% of small businesses do not have a cybersecurity policy despite the risks.
A cybersecurity policy ensures everyone is on the same page at your business. You cannot presume all employees have the same idea for creating strong passwords or securely accessing business data. A cybersecurity policy can help identify threats to an organization and explain employee responsibilities for protecting business data.
Your cybersecurity policy sets the standard for cyber behavior at your organization. You can outline rules, such as social media use, personal device use, and password sharing. Without a cybersecurity policy, you increase the risk of attack, as employees will not be clear on their responsibilities or approved behavior.
7. Trusting Public Wi-Fi
Trusting public Wi-Fi can lead to your business data being stolen or hacked. You cannot guarantee the connection is secure, and hackers use public Wi-Fi in different ways:
- Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack
- Session hijacking
- Shoulder-surfing
- Acquire airborne information
- Creating fake Wi-Fi connections
It is easy to join a fake network accidentally or for a hacker to launch an attack such as MITM. They can easily break a link between two clients, as data is usually unencrypted on public networks. They can also easily access data by packet sniffing, which is where they can gain access to your business data and learn about weaknesses with your software.
Be sure to have your own secure Wi-Fi network for employees to use. Create a separate connection for the public if you need to provide Wi-Fi. And be sure to secure your router in a hidden place where people cannot gain access to it.
Also, include rules about public Wi-Fi use for employees. Otherwise, anyone, including hackers, can easily read business data if employees work in public settings. For example, you could insist on using a VPN in public settings.
8. Using Default Security Software
Many businesses make the common cybersecurity mistake of skimping on security software. Many use the default software provided or pick a cheap option.
However, your security software is what adds layers of protection to prevent cyberattacks. If you have secure security software, hackers are less likely to succeed. The software can stop attacks even if a layer of security is breached.
Default software is not sufficient for businesses, with hackers finding inefficiencies and accessing your systems quickly. Plus, free or default software usually includes intrusive ads that can limit productivity as it slows down devices.
It would be best if you found software that sufficiently protects your business, including:
- Encryption software
- Firewalls
- Password managers
- Login management
- Anti-spyware software
- Security and patch monitoring
- Network security
Pick a reliable software provider that can adequately protect your business. You want software that quickly picks up on breaches and can take action. A centralized management system is ideal for easy access to analytics and understanding of systems.
9. Not Protecting Business Data
There are simple steps that businesses can take to protect business data, but many skip them. Failure to take steps to secure business data increases cybersecurity risks and the costs of data recovery if there is a breach. You should never underestimate the importance of protecting data, which can include:
- Data backup
- Encryption
- Secure disposal of data
- Monitoring endpoints and personal device use
- Cloud usage
- Data access control
Regularly backing up data can be a lifeline if something does happen to your business. Be sure to back up to a secure place, such as cloud storage or an external hard drive that you store securely. It will help your business recover from data breaches quickly with better damage control.
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Encryption protects your business from unauthorized access. It is an efficient final defense, even if systems are breached. If someone gains access to your business data, they will not be able to read it, as encryption turns data into complex code.
A policy on data access and personal device usage also deter lapses in data care. You can also take steps to securely dispose of data, such as overwriting or physical destruction.
Cloud storage is a great way to encrypt data, even if employees attempt to gain access. Cloud storage usually has more advanced cybersecurity processes, which is why companies are making a mistake by not investing in cloud software.
10. Doing It Alone
Assigning one person to be responsible for your IT network or managing cybersecurity yourself is also one of the top common cybersecurity mistakes. It relates to underestimating the threat cyberattacks have for your business too.
Unless you are a trained expert and it is your primary role, it is almost impossible to manage your business’s cybersecurity alone. Even if you invest in the most expensive software, you still need an efficient cybersecurity plan and a way to identify security risks.
The most secure way to protect your business is to get support from qualified IT professionals. A professional cyber security company has the knowledge, resources, and experience to manage your company’s cybersecurity efficiently.
Cyber threats are evolving and becoming more sophisticated by the day. Stay ahead of the game and have peace of mind your business is secure with professional support. They will be able to adapt and ensure your business can continue to run without any downtime.
Plus, it will free up time for you to focus on other business areas. Everyone will be on the same page, with everyone having a clear idea of their cybersecurity responsibilities.
Avoid Common Cybersecurity Mistakes
Cybersecurity best practices do not have to be complicated. An excellent place to start is knowing the common cybersecurity mistakes to avoid. Assess whether you are making any mistakes and make the necessary changes to protect your business.
If you are unsure how secure your business is or do not know whether to begin, it is time to get professional support to reduce cybersecurity risks.
Cybriant is a leading provider of cybersecurity services here to help you. We have a variety of services on offer to manage and reduce your cybersecurity risks. Contact us today to learn more.
