No small business owner wants to be a target of a cyber attack. Even a minor cyber security incident can have a devastating impact on your income, data and website, as well as your reputation.
You can safeguard your business and data from common cyber security risks with 5 simple, cost-effective steps.
1. Educate yourself and your staff
If hackers access your network, they can cause significant damage with what they find. This might be access to your customer lists, your company’s banking details, your business growth plans or your customers’ credit card information.
No matter the size of your business, everyone is vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to protect your personal and business information by learning about common cyber security threats.
It’s also important to educate your staff about the risks of a data breach and put clear policies in place around how customer information and other vital data is handled.
2. Back up your information regularly
It's best practice to frequently run backups of your data and check that your data remains secure.
You should also store backups offline or in a separate location to protect against cyber attacks or other data loss incidents.
3. Keep software and systems up-to-date
Hackers and cybercriminals constantly search for weaknesses in software, making outdated systems more susceptible to attacks. Regularly updating your software, including on your mobile devices, will better protect your data and systems from potential threats.
Be sure to update your operating systems, software applications and firmware regularly. While this can seem time-consuming, updates often include security patches that fix known vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
4. Use strong and unique passwords
You can improve your system’s security by creating complex passwords that include a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using information that could be easily guessed, such as your birthday, child’s name, business name or pet’s name.
It’s also important to use different passwords for each platform. You may also want to use a password manager to securely store your passwords.
5. Set up multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (sometimes known as 2-step authentication) is a way to safeguard your business and should not be overlooked.
This security authentication process requires more than just your password each time you log in, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts.
Some programs and websites offer built-in multi-factor authentication that you can enable quickly in your account settings.
Cyber security requires your constant attention. As a business owner, the best way to stay cyber safe is to regularly reassess your security measures, stay informed about emerging threats and adapt your strategies accordingly.
Looking for more tips to protect and grow your business? Search our online resources for practical tools on a range of topics to help you build your skills and make everyday business decisions with confidence.
Related links
Privacy and cyber security – Service NSW Business Bureau online resources
Small Business Cyber Security – Australian Cyber Security Centre