When it comes to investing in cybersecurity, it can be difficult to know where to start. Of course, we all know how important it is to protect our digital data from hackers and cybercrime. But what are the most essential areas to invest in to avoid these cyberattacks?
As a business leader, for instance, it pays to invest in training your employees by wising them up on the risks of company accounts being compromised by cybercriminals. Next, you’ll want to ensure your networks are also armed with the most up-to-date cybersecurity solutions. It’s also a good idea to include in-house IT experts who are specifically trained in cybersecurity on your company payroll.
Still confused as to where to begin? Stay with us as we explain where to invest first in the field of cybersecurity.
1. Invest in Training All of Your Company Employees in Cybersecurity Awareness
In our increasingly digitalized day and age, company employees need to be made aware of the prevalence of cybercrime. Whether it’s avoiding email phishing scams, identifying the signs that you’ve unwittingly downloaded malware (malicious software), or preventing yourself from being exposed to other common forms of cyber attacks, surfing smart is essential when going online. This is especially important when you’re an employee of a large company or organization (or a business of any size, for that matter), due to the sensitive nature of the data many workplaces will store online.
As an employer, there are several training routes you can invest in to help bring cybersecurity to the forefront of your staff’s minds. For employees with a particular interest in actively preventing cyberattacks, you may like to consider funding their enrolment in an online master’s in cybersecurity. More broad, generalist cyber threat awareness programs, on the other hand, can help alert other employees of the very real risk of cyberattacks in business. These types of courses can show less web-savvy staff the basics of cybersecurity – like how to spot email scams and identify phishing attempts. It can also teach them how to set the most secure login passwords to avoid attacks, and also, how best to practice safe surfing habits when online.
2. Invest in Cybersecurity Services and Solutions
Next, you’ll want to invest in cybersecurity measures to ensure your company’s digital assets are protected. This includes purchasing and installing cybersecurity apps, firewall programs, and anti-virus software. Also known as security infrastructure and network architecture, these systems help to protect your confidential business information.
In terms of password protection, it also helps to invest in establishing multifactor authentication requirements for all system users. Multifactor authentication assists with keeping your company networks secure by preventing hackers from obtaining unauthorized access to the system. Password encryption can also help with this, although with the rise of supercomputers and advanced programming that can deliver more effective decryption than ever before, there is still a risk that your data can be hacked into. And, concerningly, once a cybercriminal has gained unauthorized access to your assets, they may engage in ransomware – forcing you to outlay a (usually exorbitant) fee to regain access to your system. Yet another reason why staying at the forefront of cybersecurity is critical for any business.
3. Invest in Hiring Specifically Trained Cybersecurity Staff
Yes, virtually every company has an in-house IT specialist. If not, they’re engaging professional IT services offshore. Irrespective, IT experts are critical to the success of a business, especially with how dependent we’ve become on digital technology today.
As part of this cohort of IT professionals, you really should take active measures to ensure that you have cybersecurity experts on your payroll. Having these experts on your books means they will take a vested interest in protecting your company data. It also means you have someone on call in the event of a digital emergency. Has a hacker threatened you with ransomware? Cybersecurity professionals will be able to guide you on how best to regain access. Need to update your antivirus protection? Your in-house experts will ensure your preventative measures are always on point.
Most importantly, make sure you take into account how essential investing in cybersecurity is to the safety and security of your business. Yes, protecting your digital assets from cybercrime can be expensive, but you’ll certainly be forking out less long-term than paying ransom to a cybercriminal.
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