From large corporations to the countless startup businesses that exist in the world today, all have to incorporate the digital element into their operations in order to grow as a business. The internet has introduced us to the concept of Companies 2.0, and the concept is here to stay
For any budding business, having a strong tech base and a great digital presence is a necessity. A strong presence on the internet – be it social media or search engines is of utmost importance. A strong digital presence can be the difference between success and failure of any startup.
With all the benefits that the internet has to offer, it has also exposed us to new risks. Among those risks, cybersecurity takes the top spot. Your company’s data and identity going into the wrong hands for as much as a second can be a catastrophe, and you need to be very vigilant regarding it. This is why we have put together a few tips that can help your startup keep its digital presence intact.
1. Check the Origin of the Emails
A very common way to perform a cyber attack on a startup is to request information via email. Many times the members of the company do not take precautions and respond to unknown emails. Doing so confirms that the email address is active, which allows the attack to progress. Phishing attacks are carried out through emails more than any other means, which means you have to make sure your employees do not respond to any sort of spam email.
2. Have Strong Passwords
As a startup, you must change passwords regularly. In this way, you can avoid inconveniences and unnecessary risks. Each important account must have a separate password. In addition, these passwords must be a combination of numbers, letters and special characters.
In the same way, you should activate security options, such as two-factor authentication. This tool allows you to add a layer of greater security at the time of logging into your accounts.
3. Make Backups
It is necessary that the company takes measures to prevent cyber-attacks, such as by backing up files daily. Large companies can have their own data center and servers that allow them to back up their information, but for a startup that is too heavy an investment. Therefore, using separate computers that aren’t connected to the internet to store files is a great option. Or you can simply hire a company that offers cloud backup services at a relatively reasonable cost.
4. Protect Equipment with Powerful Tools and Keep Them Constantly Updated
An appropriate antivirus should be chosen for each operating system and equipment. These programs must be updated periodically. Keeping them with the necessary updates is vital to protect yourself from a cyber attack.
5. Be Aware of the Risks of Cyber-attacks
The largest companies hold forums, workshops, and talks to explain to workers the risk of a cyber attack. This type of activity allows all the members of the organization to stay informed. It also prevents employees from making common mistakes. As a startup, arranging a small session in meetings can be enough to keep your employees informed about the risks of cyber – attack.
6. Analyze and Review All Online Activity Constantly
Constantly monitor the use of the web to prevent the organization from being a victim of a cyber attack. There are tools that allow you to monitor it. The choice of these applications and programs will depend on the nature of the company. The number of workers, the programs that are handled and the pages that must be accessed daily must be taken into account. They do not require a huge investment; consider the scale of a startup that has only a few users, so you can make use of the free tools too.
7. Avoid Visiting Suspicious Pages
Not all pages on the web are safe, so it is necessary to avoid visits to unknown sites. Sometimes invitations to email or social networks are received and accepting them could cause you danger. One way to control access is by blocking unknown websites.
8. Do Not Allow Outsiders to Use Your Equipment
Do not allow visitors to use or access your computers. It is necessary to keep a check on people and make sure they do not use your computer without proper authorization.
9. Hire an External Specialized Security Service
Startups must have at their disposal network security services that can support them in case of a cyber attack. In addition to offering quick solutions, these companies provide the confidence of having them on hand in case of any unforeseen event and to prevent cyber-attacks effectively.
