Top tips to keep your business secure

Keith Franklin – RuralTech LLP

As cyber attacks become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, it is important to prioritise cyber security measures to protect sensitive data, safeguard your network and maintain customer trust. Here are some top tips:

1. Be careful about who or what you trust

46% of UK businesses experienced a cyber-attack in 2023, with an average cost of more than £3,000, and many of those attacks were preventable. Phishing scams have become more and more subtle and convincing. Don’t trust anything until you’re absolutely satisfied that it’s legit.

Visit here for helpful government information.

2. Protect your email by using a strong and separate password

Cybercriminals can use your email address to access many of your personal accounts, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft. The government advice on this issue can be found at: www.ncsc.gov.uk

3. Turn on 2-step verification (2SV)

Turning on 2SV is one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts from cyber criminals. 2-step verification (2SV) is also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).

4. Install the latest software and app updates

Applying security updates promptly will help protect your devices and accounts from cyber criminals. Updates include protection from viruses and other kinds of malware and will often include improvements and new features.

Manufacturers eventually stop providing updates for older devices. If you continue to use a device that is no longer supported you are not safe!

5. Backing up your data

As highlighted in the article above, backing up your data regularly is crucial in today’s digital age. It protects against data loss, provides peace of mind, saves time and money, facilitates device upgrades, and protects against security threats.

6. Ignorance isn’t bliss

In the case of business security, the more your people know, the better. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your people are aware of the threats and risks, and to make sure they’re properly prepared to respond. Whether that’s through training sessions, centralised documents or just having regular chats, whatever works for you, awareness is one of the most powerful weapons in your cyber security defence.