Security

Cyber Security Basics to Protect Your Business Today

When addressing cyber security in any business, it is important to understand that there is no ‘silver bullet’ that will keep you safe.  The secret is creating layers of protection.  You create these layers not only by implementing cybersecurity tools but also creating policies and procedures that protect your company’s data.  For our clients, we apply up to 7 different applications to create many of the layers.

There are a couple of things you need to do right now if you are not currently working with an experienced MSP who manages your security. 

  • Turn on MFA (multi-factor authentication) for everything! This includes email services, any and all business portals you use to make payments, payroll systems, and accounting applications.  No excuses! Implementing MFA is the single most important thing you can do.
  • Use a NextGen antivirus app on all company-owned The free version isn’t what you’re looking for.  We highly recommend SentinalOne and CrowdStrike.
  • Provide cyber security training to your employees. This doesn’t need to be fancy.  Find a few YouTube videos about recognizing phishing emails and require your employees to watch them.
  • Create manual checks and balances for your accounting transactions. One example would be a requirement to manually verify wire information via a phone call before making any wire transactions.

If you have questions about what you need to do to protect your company, do not hesitate to book a 10-minute discovery call with us. Let ACS create the layers of protection you need to increase your cyber resiliency and take the responsibility for a hack or breach off of your shoulders.

What should a basic cybersecurity plan include?

The most important thing a small business can do to prevent a cyber breach is to implement a strong cybersecurity plan that includes the following elements:

  1. Employee training: Educate employees on safe internet practices and how to identify phishing scams and other threats.
  2. Passwords: Require strong and unique passwords for all accounts and consider using a password manager to securely store and manage passwords.
  3. Software updates: Ensure that all software, including operating systems and applications, are kept up-to-date with the latest security updates.
  4. Firewall: Use a firewall to protect against unauthorized access to the network and sensitive data.
  5. Backup and disaster recovery: Regularly back up important data and files and have a disaster recovery plan in place in case of a breach or other data loss.
  6. Antivirus software: Install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date to protect against malware and other threats.
  7. Limited access: Limit access to sensitive data to only those employees who need it, and regularly review and update access permissions.
  8. Monitoring: Regularly monitor the network for suspicious activity and take prompt action to address any security incidents.

By implementing these best practices, small businesses can significantly reduce the risk of a cyber breach and protect their sensitive information and assets.

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