Businesses going through a change – such as a shift to working from home, new leadership, a merger, or an acquisition – might need to update their cybersecurity practices.
Transition periods can open critical gaps in security because people might be working in new conditions or switching to different programs. Here’s how to ensure cybersecurity compliance during business transitions.
Good Cybersecurity Practices
Cybercrimes can affect anyone with an internet connection, which means most people are at risk. From 2016 to 2020, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2.2 million complaints, reporting a total loss of $13.3 billion.
By taking steps to protect sensitive databases and other computer systems, businesses can be better prepared to handle a potential security breach and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Companies about to go through a transition should follow these steps to prevent their team from being hacked:
Install Firewalls and Antivirus Software
Firewalls put up a barrier between trusted and untrustworthy networks. These barriers keep dangerous traffic out while allowing safe traffic to come through.
Antivirus software helps detect and remove malware from computers and is essential to protect a system from hacking.
Use Strong Passwords
Businesses should brief their employees about creating strong, unique passwords that are hard to guess. Unfortunately, even when informed of the risks, 56% of employees will still reuse passwords at work, usually for simplicity and ease of use.
To convince employees to use strong and unique passwords, implement tools to make the change as easy as possible. The most secure and efficient method often uses password managers to keep track of randomly generated passwords.
Perform Regular Updates
Updates do more than speed up the computer. They often include patches that make systems more secure. Businesses should frequently update their firmware, software, and operating systems and turn on auto-updates if available.
Create File Backups
Keeping offline backups of important files is a good idea for any business, not just those going through transitions. In the event that the online system goes down, they’ll still have copies of their data. Be sure to automate file backups to remove human error and ensure you always complete backups.
Use a VPN
A virtual private network, also known as a VPN, encrypts a user’s traffic. Using a VPN makes it hard for third parties to track a person’s online activities and steal their information.
Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication
Before logging in to a secure system, users receive a code on their phone or another device for one-time use to let them log in. A person without access to both the computer and the second device is locked out.
Sign Up for Account Alerts
Account alerts let users know when someone tries to access their account from another device or location. These alerts can flag suspicious activity before hackers even have a chance to access sensitive data.
Use Network Segmentation
This security technique allows companies to partition their physical network into smaller sub-networks. If a hacker tries to break into the system, they’ll only be able to access a small part of it rather than the entire network.
Be Skeptical About Links
Many users receive phishing scams via emails containing malicious links. Businesses should warn their employees not to click on any links that come from external sources, as they can lead to security breaches.
Perform Ongoing Training
The best way to enforce cybersecurity compliance is for businesses to offer frequent training. Companies can ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding online behavior, which helps close the security gaps that can open up during transition periods.
Ensuring Cybersecurity Compliance
During business transitions, the whole team should be on high alert for network breaches. Companies can more easily keep their data secure by following a few basic practices like using a VPN, performing regular updates, and installing antivirus software.
