Many business owners don’t appreciate the seriousness of cybersecurity. They don’t feel like the stories they hear about websites being infiltrated by hackers or identity theft could ever happen to them. But these situations take place every day, and there is an active community of cybercriminals that are always ready to take advantage of companies and individuals who are careless or ignorant of basic cybersecurity measures. There are engaging courses for IT professionals that can be taken to educate not only company employees but also their owners. These common mistakes can lead to cyber disasters.
Shutterstock Licensed Photo – By CHAjAMP
Using Weak Passwords
How many people can tell stories about working for a company where the password for the boss’s computer was their husband’s birthday, their dog’s name, or the date of their wedding anniversary? Weak passwords make it extremely simple for cybercriminals to infiltrate computer networks, and once they’re in, they can wreak all kinds of havoc. They can steal from the company, but just as often they wreck the network and cause it to crash for no other reason than because they’re capable of doing it. The best passwords are ones that are randomly generated sequences of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Those are almost impossible to crack.
Not Updating Software
Another simple way for hackers to access a computer network and get to sensitive information is when a business neglects to update their software. Software updates allow for bug fixes, and any security expert will preach about this if given the opportunity. Things like budget reports, income statements, and things of that nature are better off being kept in a system that is not even connected to the server. This way, if the server is hacked, the hackers will not be able to get to the most sensitive of documents. Small business owners and employees often have a lot on their minds, which is why this sort of thing is so often overlooked.
Failure to Backup the System
This is another mistake that is far too common. Backing up your system should be a priority for you because if your cybersecurity is compromised, it will be much easier to get the system back up and running again afterward. If your files are backed up, you can have new software installed and restore them within minutes. Failure to do so, on the other hand, can spell disaster of titanic proportions. If your server crashes and your files are not backed up, then all kinds of confidential information can be lost. Take the time to back up the system, or you might regret it someday.
Cybersecurity for companies is something that needs to be taken as seriously as physical security in the building or buildings where the company operates. There is always going to be competition for your business, with others in your niche waiting for you to slip up. Not having the proper cyber security precautions in place is the equivalent of an unforced error. Take the necessary steps before it ever becomes an issue, and you’ll be breathing a sigh of relief if any cyber-attack ever comes.
