In 2022, data breach costs in the United States reached an average of $9.44 million, whereas the global average per data breach is $4.35 million. And while these numbers are staggering, it doesn’t even begin to encompass the full financial impact of a breach, which can include lost business, litigation costs, and reputational damage. In other words, a data breach can devastate a company. Yet, many businesses are still not taking the necessary steps to protect themselves. If you’re handling your company’s cybersecurity, here are six mistakes you might be making:
You’re Not Keeping Up With The Latest Threats
Just as technology is constantly evolving, so are cybercriminals’ tactics. It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends so that you can identify potential threats and take steps to protect your company. One way to do this is to follow credible pages, news sites, and professionals on security-related platforms. You can also stay updated through your networks and colleagues. Doing so will keep you ahead of the curve and better equipped to deal with potential threats.
You’re Relying Solely on Antivirus Software
Another mistake you might be making is relying solely on antivirus software to protect your company from cyberattacks. While antivirus software is certainly important, it’s not enough by itself. Cybercriminals are always finding new ways to evade traditional antivirus defenses, which is why having multiple layers of security is important. In addition to antivirus software, consider implementing a web filtering solution and intrusion detection/prevention system.
You’re Not Keeping Your Software Up to Date
One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to gain access to your company’s data is by exploiting outdated software. That’s why it’s important to ensure that all the software your employees use is always up to date. The best way to do this is to set up automatic updates. You should also be on the lookout for information about new software versions and make sure to install them as soon as possible. That way, you can be sure that your business is always using the most secure version of the software.
You’re Not Testing Your Defenses Regularly
One mistake you might be making is not testing your defenses regularly. Just because your cybersecurity defenses were effective last month doesn’t mean they’ll still be effective today-or tomorrow. Consider scheduling annual security audits so that you can identify any weaknesses in your system and take steps to address them before a cybercriminal does. One testing method includes conducting vulnerability scans, where you use special tools to scan your system for known vulnerabilities.
Another method to test your defenses is penetration tests. They work by simulating an attack on your system to see if any of your defenses can be breached. Your own staff can conduct these tests internally through software like Pentera. It can work in the background of your system as you do your work without disrupting your business operations. So if you want to test your security defenses, you should conduct a Pentera Pentest that will show you where your system may be vulnerable and how to fix it. Doing so will help keep your system and data safe from potential cyber threats.
You’re Not Backing Up Your Data
Data is the lifeblood of any business, so it’s critical to have a robust backup and recovery plan in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t take this threat seriously enough and fail to properly back up their data. This can have disastrous consequences if a cyberattack or other disaster strikes. One common method to back up data is to use an external hard drive. This can be stored off-site so that your data will be safe even if your office faces damage. Another option is to use cloud storage. This allows you to access your data from anywhere and is often more affordable than other storage solutions. Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to ensure that you have multiple backups in case one version of your data becomes corrupted. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your business data is safe and sound.
You’re Not Training Your Employees Properly
One mistake you might be making is not training your employees properly regarding cybersecurity. Your employees are one of your greatest assets-but they can also be one of your most significant vulnerabilities. Make sure they know how to spot phishing emails and other social engineering attacks. They should also avoid clicking on malicious links and opening attachments from unknown senders. Additionally, teach them proper password management techniques and require them to use strong passwords for all company accounts.
Cybersecurity should be a top priority for all businesses. If you’re handling your company’s cybersecurity, make sure you’re not making any of these mistakes; otherwise, you could be risking your business.