How to Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks

Every day, cybercriminals cause havoc for large and small enterprises, resulting in financial loss and damage to reputations. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to protect your business from cyber-attacks!

As technology has continued to advance and evolve into a crucial aspect of business, it has also provided tech-savvy criminals with the means to make money. Many companies can shake off an attempted attack thanks to good cybersecurity practices and various forms of software. However, those who aren’t as lucky can lose significant amounts of money, experience prolonged downtime and see many customers lose faith in their brand.

If you’re concerned about cybersecurity and want to know how to protect your business from cyberattacks, this post will provide the answers you need.

Monitor and Limit Employees’ Access to Data

Limiting access to valuable company data reduces the likelihood of human error, which happens to be the number one cybersecurity threat. Your employees should only have access to the systems, documents and software logins needed to do their jobs.

If an employee leaves your business or moves to a different company location or department, it’s vital to remove/change their access accordingly. By doing so, you ensure as few people as possible can view or use your data — as well as prevent any attacks from disgruntled ex-employees.

Regularly Update Your Operating Systems and Software

When you consider how many different applications and types of software you use every day, there are multiple opportunities for a breach if you fail to keep up with maintenance. Fortunately, the developers of these products will release regular patches and updates to ensure their programmes are as efficient and secure as possible.

From time-to-time, you will receive a notification asking you to install a new update (or better yet, you can approve automatic updates). You should never delay or ignore these updates as they often include aspects relating to security — so by ignoring them, you open the door for potential cyber-attacks.

Install Firewalls for Software and Web/Email Filters

Use website and email filters to hinder hackers and prevent spam from filling employee inboxes. You can also install “blacklist” software to block users from browsing unsafe websites that could be a malware risk. While it may seem like a no-brainer, you should also warn your employees about the risks of sites associated with cyberattacks, such as gambling sites or social media links. Again this may seem obvious, but all it takes is one person to visit a website or click the wrong link, and your company systems are vulnerable to malware.

Train Your Employees

As we mentioned above, human error is the leading cause of cyber breaches. So if you want to know how to protect your business from cyberattacks, your employees should always be one of your key concerns. Ensuring your team are as cyber-vigilant as possible will significantly increase your protection against IT security threats. As standard, your employees should know:

• What to do in the event of a cybersecurity incident
• What is an acceptable use of business and personal emails while using company systems
• How company data and documents should be utilised in the office or at home

When you take on new employees, it’s essential to inform them about your business’s cybersecurity policies and educate them on the best practices to adopt. Beyond this, it’s always a smart move to provide regular training and cybersecurity materials to keep up to date with anything vital they should be aware of. Not only this, but it serves as a helpful reminder to maintain good practices and always be mindful of how their actions could cause IT problems on a large scale.

WORX Protect by ITRM

WORX Protect is ITRM’s unique and bespoke approach to IT security, offering complete protection by securing three critical areas — endpoints, email and web browsers. Endpoint security ensures Microsoft desktops and servers are protected from viruses and malware. Email protection prevents the sending or receiving of viruses, spam or malware. Web protection ensures browsing is as safe as possible, by monitoring access and filtering certain websites, such as gambling and pornography.

We offer our clients the three following services, of which business owners can pick one, two or all three to ensure you have what you need.

Endpoint Protection

Protect every device endpoint

Laptops, phones, mobile, desktops and more

Efficient, effective and secure

WORX Protect endpoint protection from ITRM

Email Protection

Reduce risks associated with emails

WORX Protect filters and scans every email

Protects inbound and outbound emails

Regular reporting and statistical overviews

Web Protection

WORX Protect filters all web traffic

Web filtering, wherever the recipient is

Websites allowed, blocked or categorised

Regular browsing habit reports

Do you want to know more about how to protect your business from cyber-attacks? Get in touch today to discuss your IT security requirements with our specialists and find out how we can cater our services to suit your needs.