Essential Cybersecurity Practices to Safeguard Your Business from Evolving Threats

In today's digital world, businesses of all sizes face a growing array of cybersecurity threats. As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. To protect your business from these evolving risks, it is imperative to implement and sustain comprehensive cybersecurity best practices. Below, we’ve identified 11 straightforward recommendations to bulk up your cybersecurity strategy and align with today’s best practices. 

1. Establish strong password policies.

• Require the use of complex passwords combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 
• Enforce regular password changes, ideally every 90 days. 

2. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).

• Reduce risk of unauthorized access for all user accounts by instituting more than one form of authentication. 

3. Educate your employees.

• Provide security awareness training to keep employees informed of the latest threats. 

• Train employees to identify phishing schemes and other social engineering tactics. 

• Establish clear protocols for reporting suspicious activities or security breaches. 
  
  

4. Use robust antivirus and firewall protection.

• Install and regularly update antivirus software across all devices. 
• Employ a next-generation firewall to monitor and regulate network traffic. 
• Perform regular system scans to identify malware and other potential threats.

• Develop and adhere to a regular data backup schedule for all critical information. 
• Store backups in a secure, off-site location or utilize a reputable cloud backup service. 
• Routinely test backups to ensure successful restoration when needed. 

 6. Implement access controls.

• Restrict employee access to only the resources necessary for their specific roles. 
• Regularly review and adjust access permissions, particularly when employees change roles or exit the company. 
• Ensure that strong authentication methods are used to access sensitive systems.

7. Develop an incident response plan.

• Create a comprehensive incident response plan outlining detailed response procedures for anything from a cyberattack to a natural disaster that wipes out operations. 
• Assign specific roles and responsibilities to team members for managing various types of incidents. 
• Regularly test and update your incident response plan to keep it relevant.

8. Monitor your network and infrastructure.

• Deploy network monitoring tools to detect unusual activities and potential threats. 
• Regularly review logs and alerts to identify possible security issues. 
• For larger organizations, consider using a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system or leveraging a managed security operations center (SOC) solution for centralized oversight.

• Implement a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to secure and monitor company-owned mobile devices. 

• Establish a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy for employees using personal devices for work-related tasks. 

• Require use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) when accessing company resources remotely. 
  
  

10. Keep software and systems updated.

• Enable automatic updates for operating systems and critical applications. 

• Regularly check for updated software that does not offer automatic updates. 

• Replace outdated systems that manufacturers no longer support to avoid vulnerabilities. 
  
  

11. Stay informed about emerging threats.

• Keep abreast of the latest cybersecurity trends and potential threats. 

• Consider partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for continuous support and expert guidance on the latest threats that appear. 
  
  

💡 Keep This in Mind 

Cybersecurity requires ongoing attention and refinement. By adopting these best practices and regularly reviewing your security strategy, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a successful cyberattack. The cost of prevention is lower than the cost of recovering from an attack. Prioritize cybersecurity to protect both your business and your customers. 

Need help strategizing or implementing these key cybersecurity initiatives? Contact 1Path today to connect with our security experts and get the guidance or assistance you are looking for.