Five cyber security tips to protect your business and website

Every day, hackers create new exploits that pose a threat to the security of the digital information generated by consumers and businesses. As a result, many American businesses struggle to stay ahead of the learning curve required to keep network data safe.

Last year was a wakeup call for many enterprises. In that year, the breech of the Equifax credit reporting agency comprised the personal data of nearly half of all United States citizens. As hackers become more sophisticated, businesses must take new measures to protect their interests.

Instead of relying on standard protection programs, the firms are investing in the recruitment of information technology experts called cyber security specialists who help enterprises secure and protect their data. They’re specially trained IT experts who help business stay ahead of the cyber security learning curve and protect information based on a thorough understanding of what’s happening in the field.

In addition to hiring a cyber security expert, the following five passages highlight a few tips that businesses can deploy to keep their network data safe.

Tip 1: Make sure that employees use strong passwords
Strong passwords make it harder for hackers to circumvent network security. Weak passwords are the most common vulnerability that hackers use to infiltrate corporate networks. A surprising study revealed that many people still use ineffective passwords, such as '123456' and 'Password1' across multiple protected assets.

To make them easier to remember, workers commonly use the same password for several resources, which further compromises the integrity of network security. This suggests that many find the task of creating an effective password highly undesirable.

Tip 2: Educate employees about hacking
Effective network security requires more than training employees about how to create strong passwords. Cyber security experts recommend that businesses teach employees about the reality of who hackers are and what they do to infiltrate networks. Hackers look for any weakness in a network’s programming.

This kind of cunning makes it vital that employers teach staff members more about how hackers think. Experts recommend activities like cyber security workshops and inter-company hacking competitions as a way to give staff members a deeper understanding of how cyber crimes occur.

Tip 3: Teach employees to be mindful on social media
Social media is an integral part of most peoples’ personal and business lives. Because of their familiarity with the resource, staff members sometimes forget to maintain professional boundaries when using social media for business.

Hackers take advantage of this to exploit enterprise networks. Many hackers use social media as a tool to find and identify weakness in a company’s security protocol. For example, hackers can use event details, email addresses and employee names to craft targeted emails with payloads that compromise network security.

Tip 4: Train staff members to check for secure sites and connections
Until recently, the 'https' in a web address only held significance for online shoppers. The 's' indicates a secure web page that transmits data over an encrypted connection, stopping outside parties from intercepting sensitive information. However, security experts are recommending that Internet users think twice before submitting personal information through a site that doesn’t incorporate this measure.

In a world where hackers constantly look for ways to evade network security, the designation is becoming an indicator for trusted websites. When businesses train employees to check for this basic security measure, the likelihood that employees accidentally divulge information by using an deceptive website diminishes.

Tip 5: Keep software and computers updated
Manufacturers issue software updates to protect computers and networks from known security threats. Outdated computer software makes it easier for hackers to take advantage of known programming vulnerabilities. Many malware attacks exploit vulnerabilities in requisite software, such as browsers and operating systems.

In fact, the historic data breach at Equifax took place because the firm failed to keep its software up-to-date. By making sure that programs stay updated, enterprises protect their data from the latest major security threats.

The nature of commerce requires that enterprises connect with the outside world, making cyber security a permanent staple in the business landscape. America’s businesses need cyber security experts who can help keep proprietary data safe and protect the information that drives the United States economy.

References:

hbr.org

Forbes.com

UND Masters Program

USC Online Master of Science in Applied Psychology

CNBC.com

Entrepreneur.com

Mcafee.com