Business security is not something any organization should overlook. All it takes is for one breach to result in catastrophic – and sometimes even fatal – results for a company. A victim of cybercrime can see their finances disappear, their data stolen, and their reputation in tatters.
Yet even with the damage that can be caused, many businesses are lackadaisical in their approach to security. You only have to look at the stats to see that’s the case. It is said that cybercrimes will cost businesses worldwide a startling $10.5 trillion each year by 2025.
With all of these facts and figures, it makes sense that you’re looking at ways to improve your security measures. That’s where this article can help. Below are four effective methods to enhance business security.
Go with a Zero Trust model
One tactic that is on the rise is Zero Trust. For the uninitiated, a Zero Trust model is used to secure an organization by going with a “never trust, always verify” approach. What does this mean? Well, it means that, by default, nobody is trusted within the network – and that even includes those within. If a person wants to gain access, they need to complete the necessary verification processes each time.
By going with a continuous verification process, Zero Trust limits the possibility for breaches to occur. Your employees may find it a little inconvenient and restrictive, but this type of architecture results in a much more secure environment that avoids unauthorized access to your sensitive assets and data.
Don’t delay updates
Installing updates is a necessity when it comes to business security. Whether it’s your systems, devices, apps, or programs, whenever an update is available, ensure you download and install this as soon as possible.
These updates are made for a reason – and one of the most common is to fix security exploits. This means if you continue to use outdated systems or software, these exploits stick around and give cybercriminals the entry point they desire.
Perform regular backups
Even if you believe your security defenses are impenetrable, there’s no guarantee you can keep every threat out. New developments are able to quickly catch you out if you’re not quick enough to react.
Ultimately, you always have to be prepared for the worst. If your business does suffer from a data breach, it’s vital to mitigate this damage by reacting swiftly. One way to do this is by having regular backups on standby. If your data is being held up via ransomware, for example, you can restore a previous backup and get back up and running.
Educate employees
Your employees are the most important defense against security threats. They’re also the main reason why these threats manage to breach your defenses. Human error can be costly for your business – and this is why educating and training your employees about security risks is a necessity.
When they know about phishing scams, malware, ransomware, etc., they’re less likely to fall for the traps they set.