Cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses today, regardless of their size. As cybersecurity attacks are increasing in number, and becoming more sophisticated with each passing day, the importance of a cybersecurity plan for business leaders is necessary. Simply put, cybersecurity is “a series of processes and strategies put in place to protect a business’s critical systems and sensitive information against cyberattacks and data breaches, i.e., cyber threats.”
What Does a Cybersecurity Strategy Consist Of?
A cybersecurity strategy should take into account the following:
- Infrastructure
- Networks
- Applications
- Information
- Cloud security
- Employee security training and awareness
- Disaster recovery and business continuity
Steps Business Leaders Can Take to Improve Cybersecurity in Their Organizations
- Adopt a culture of Security in the Organization
The first step is to instill a cybersecurity-conscious culture where everyone feels responsible and accountable for safeguarding the security of the organization. Rules of behavior must be established about the proper way of handling customer information and other important data. - Establish Security Practices and Policies for Employees
Establishing a security policy stipulating basic security practices for all employees to follow is a must. Having a policy in place makes it easier for employees to refer to a document; and rules and practices can be instilled in employees in a structured way. A good policy gives clear guidelines about the acceptable use of all digital assets and company data; the goals and procedures employees are required to follow; and where to report any cyber-related issues. - Invest in Cybersecurity Training and Awareness
Since cyber criminals often exploit the human factor, it is important that your company not only invest in technical safeguards, but also provide training and awareness to your employees, so that they can play an active role in protecting the organization from cyber threats. This will ensure that your employees don’t become easy targets to phishing, hacking or malware. - Protect Computers, Networks, Cloud-Based Applications, and Important Information From Cyberattacks
In order to defend against viruses and malware, make sure you have the latest security software, web browser, and operating system installed. In addition to this, keep your machines clean and run a scan after every update. An investment in cloud security to ensure you protect enterprise data from data breaches is important. - Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
Make it mandatory for all employees to use strong and unique passwords, and multi-factor authentication (2FA) on all their accounts. Also, make sure all your employees use a password manager. - Employees Should Not Be Allowed to Install Software or Access Important Information
Employees should only have access to the information related to their specific jobs, and they should not be allowed to install any software on the devices without permission from the relevant authority in the organization. - Mobile Device Action Plan
Mobile devices often have confidential information since official emails are being used by employees on their phones. They can create security and management challenges, which is why it is important for employees to password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent cybercriminals from getting a hold of information. - Backup Business Data and Information
In case of an incident, having a backup of data can bring the company back on its feet more quickly. It is very important to regularly backup data on all company computers. The best way is to set up an automatic data backup.
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Certrec. This content is meant for informational purposes only.
