9 Common Cyber Security Practices You Should Never Miss
In this world of everyday evolving e-commerce and online shopping, providing security to business websites has become paramount and cannot be obviated. Be it a small-scale business, medium-sized or large-scale business, cybersecurity is a must.
In an ever-changing world of e-commerce and online shopping, securing business websites has become essential and cannot be neglected. Cybersecurity is a necessity for any business, whether small, medium-sized, or large.
Most business website owners think it is not necessary to invest in cyber security. The actual fact is, many websites are being hacked in every three or four hours. You can consider the example of the recent ransomware attacks on various sectors of business across the globe as a warning sign that it is high time to secure your business’s internal data.
According to a Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, “ransomware attacks surged in 2022 and ransomware was involved in 25% of all breaches.”
So, what should you and your IT management team do to avoid these cyber attacks? I have listed 9 cyber security practices you should always adhere to.
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1. Limit Data Access
It is necessary for organizations to limit data access. Moreover, it is safe for the organizations to determine the employee’s needs and the relevant access should be given. Nothing more or nothing less.
Many organizations give the utmost privilege to the company’s sensitive data to a limited group of employees and they are responsible for the maintenance of that sensitive data.
It is always easier to limit the organization’s sensitive information than to risk the data with all the employees. Therefore, limiting access to data helps organizations to manage their security efficiently and protect from any data theft or data loss.
As companies increasingly outsource critical business functions, granting third-party access to sensitive data is a reality. Taking precautions with vendor risk management protocols and tools is key to your security and there are plenty of resources to show you how to do it.
2. Include Strong Password Practices
According to the Data Breach Investigations Report 2016, data breaches happen due to weak passwords. However, passwords should be changed every three to four months. Always make sure the password should be a combination of alphanumerical, symbols and a unique combination that no one can easily guess.
Moreover, cyber security experts suggest a two-way password authentication for strong security. Regular security mock sessions with cyber professionals is a must to analyze password strength.
3. Use the Cloud to Defend against Ransomware
The smartest way of fighting against malicious cyber-attacks or hackers is to have a cloud security platform. Cloud security enables you to secure sensitive data in multiple locations, this ensures that your website does not fall prey to ransomware.
In ransomware attacks, cybercriminals infect and then manage your data, files, and all the important documents. Defending your business through cloud systems security is the latest trending technique in cyber security.
4. Use the Right Encryption
According to reports, only 25 percent of small and medium-scale businesses are using the right encryption process to keep their database safe. We should remember that prevention is the only option that all e-commerce websites have. However small or big your business could be, the right encryption is a pillar for your business.
Through encryption, you can convert key information into secure codes. Moreover, encryption is done at various levels. Depending on the requirement the encryption levels can be decided to observe the incoming and outgoing data.
5. Install anti-malware software
Never assume that your employees will not open phishing websites or links. According to the Verizon report, cyber hacks are increased every year since 2016 due to phishing emails.
Educate your employees that by clicking the malicious links, the malware gets installed on your computer thereby infecting the files.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential to install anti-malware on all devices and also on all networks. These will stop all the phishing attacks on the computer, thus protecting internal data.
6. Keep your site updated
We all should be aware of the technical fact that all the outdated security patches are easy to target.
Moreover, unpatched and its relevant extensions will make your e-commerce website more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Cybercriminals use certain techniques to know websites that have unpatched applications. Thus, keeping your website and the backend updated is the simplest yet effective step towards strong cyber protection.
7. Install VPN
VPN is used to make a secure connection over the internet and to protect browsing activity and safeguard from prying eyes. Thus, no one can see the data passing between the devices across a router. Even encapsulation and tunneled connection used in VPN also secures data that is being sent over the internet. VPN solutions for businesses can secure passing data with encryption methods like OpenVPN and IPSec. Moreover, for secure communication, VPN uses dedicated software on both the VPN provider and client-side, which is called remote access server and client software.
8. Use of SSL Certificate
SSL certificate is the minimum security you should have if you are starting an e-commerce and online business website. Because the information passed from the computer is to be protected to avoid any data interception. It encrypts all the data passed through your computer and the web server. SSL keeps user information encoded like credit card details, user’s name, address, and passwords.
Whenever the visitor comes to your website, the first and foremost thing he observes is the HTTPS. If you install an SSL certificate, the website is completely protected, and the users can see a lock symbol along with HTTPS.
9. Regular Data Backup and Update
Last but definitely not the least, regular data backups will save you from unexpected data loss. To have a successful business, make a habit of regular data backups on a weekly basis either manually or automatically.
Apart from the website data backup, regular checking on software updates also plays a vital role in keeping the business safe and sound. Make sure your IT department works on installing and updating software updates, security updates, and anti-virus updates to have a progressive growth in business.
Related post: Government Creates Stiff Laws on Cyber Crimes with Huge Penalty
Conclusion
Moreover, there should be a policy framework regulated among employees regarding cyber security. Even if you are a small or large organization, hackers won’t let you stay in peace if you do not take cyber security seriously.
A single employee could damage the organization in a severe way by surrendering sensitive data into hackers’ hands. The above practice for sure will certainly keep your organization safe against rising cybercrime.
