Small businesses are prime targets for cyberattacks. Running a business is a lot of hard work. But unfortunately, cybersecurity can often become an afterthought, leading to vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. To help small business owners navigate these treacherous waters, let’s delve into five of the most common cybersecurity mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Neglecting Regular Software Updates
One of the cybersecurity mistakes that is frequent in small businesses is neglecting to update software. Whether it’s the operating system, applications, or security software, updates often contain vital patches that address vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals actively seek out outdated software because they know these vulnerabilities can provide easy access to sensitive data.
To address this problem, enable automatic updates whenever possible. This ensures that your systems are regularly patched without requiring manual intervention. If possible, designate someone on your team to oversee software updates and ensure they are implemented in a timely manner. Not all small businesses have the resources to empower a staff member to do this, however. In that case, a good solution would be to enlist the services of a Managed Service Provider, or MSP.
2. Weak Password Practices
Weak passwords are a significant weak point in any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Using weak passwords is akin to leaving the front door of your business wide open. Malicious actors can automate attempted logins with databases of usernames and passwords (typically from a previous data breach), a process that’s known as “credential stuffing.” Cyber attackers can use other automated tools as well, making strong passwords even more of a necessity in 2024 than ever before.
To solve this issue, implement strong password policies that require a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage passwords for different accounts. Password managers are also useful as some (such as Google’s) will alert you when one of your passwords was compromised in a third-party data breach, enabling you to change passwords and be less vulnerable to credential stuffing.
3. Lack of Employee Training
Your employees can be your greatest defense against cyber threats, but they can also be unwittingly responsible for breaches. Without proper training, they may fall victim to phishing emails, click on malicious links, or inadvertently download malware. We are all experts in our own fields, but being good with computers when it comes to Excel spreadsheets or Photoshop doesn’t necessarily mean you know cybersecurity best practices.
To address such cybersecurity mistakes,provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for all employees. This should include identifying phishing attempts, best practices for handling sensitive information, and the importance of following company security policies. Regularly reinforce these trainings to keep cybersecurity top of mind. Developing curriculum like this may sound like just another set of time-consuming tasks for a small business owner, but there are tools available to help with this. Some free learning options are available through Cybrary, for example. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) hosts an education and training catalog that may be useful, as well.
4. Insufficient Data Backup and Recovery Plans
For understandable reasons, data back and recovery plans can sometimes get pushed to the back burner amid busy schedules. But data loss can be catastrophic for a small business, whether due to a cyberattack, hardware failure, or human error. Without adequate backup and recovery plans in place, recovering from such incidents can be time-consuming and costly.
Stay ahead of the crisis by building a data backup and recovery plan before problems occur. A robust backup strategy includes regular backups of all critical data. Consider using both on-site and cloud-based backups for redundancy. Test your backups periodically to ensure they are working correctly and can be restored when needed.
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5. Overlooking Mobile Device Security
When considering the security of your data, don’t forget about your mobile devices! So much of our work occurs on our cellphones now. These devices are incredibly useful, but if they aren’t included in a business’s cybersecurity strategy, they can also be an additional point of vulnerability. This is doubly so if personal devices are used to access company data without proper safeguards.
It is crucially important for businesses of all sizes to enforce mobile device security policies, such as requiring strong passwords or biometric authentication to unlock devices. Implement remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Encourage employees to install security updates promptly and only download apps from trusted sources.
Implement these solutions to prevent cybersecurity mistakes, so you can remain focused on doing what you do best!