Protecting your business from cyber risks can be an overwhelming venture. With each passing month, new and more sophisticated viruses are being discovered, more spam is reaching your inbox and yet another well-known company becomes the victim of a data breach.
The world will never be free of cyber risks, but there are many loss control techniques you can implement to help protect your business from exposures.
1. Install a firewall for your network.If your business has a network of five or more computers, consider buying a network firewall. They can be pricey but network firewalls provide a fine level of coverage for an entire network.
2. Install anti-virus, anti-malware and anti-spyware software.
This loss control technique is the easiest and most effective way to increase security at your business. Make sure to install the software on each computer in your network—computers that don’t include these types of software are much more likely to be exposed and can possibly spread malware to other computers in the network. There are a host of viable options for each type of software, ranging in price from free to an annual subscription. Be sure to keep the software as up-to-date as possible.
3. Encrypt data.
No firewall is perfect. If a hacker manages to get through your firewall and into your network, your data could be a sitting duck. Encryption will make the data unreadable to a hacker. Consider using an encryption program to keep computer drives, files and even email messages safe from hackers.
Passwords that contain words from the dictionary or contain sensible combinations (abc123, qwerty, etc.) should never be allowed. Let employees know that they should not write passwords down and leave them in a desk or out in the open. If they are having trouble remembering passwords, there are password-keeping programs available for download.
6. Back up data regularly.Restrict access to backed up data. The public should never have access to it. If the data is tangible, keep it in locked filing cabinets in a locked room, and only issue keys to those who absolutely need them.
7. Develop a business continuity plan.The plan should identify potential cyber risks, along with the recovery team at your company assigned to protect personnel and property in the event of an attack. The recovery team should conduct a damage assessment of the attack and guide the company toward resuming operations. Contact us today to find out more.
We Are Your Loss Control Expert
Keeping your data safe from cyber risks requires constant attention to ensure an attack never happens. The Axis Insurance Group has the resources and know-how to help you identify potential risks and keep your business running smoothly in the event of an attack. Contact us today to find out more.
Looking for a way to protect your business, information and customers against growing cyber threats? Get your free copy of our Cyber Liability Toolkit!