How to increase the online security of your business

Online security is imperative to keep your business running. Cybercriminals often target businesses, yet most attacks are preventable.

Dealing with a cyberattack is costly for businesses. Government statistics estimate that £19,400 is the  average data breach cost for a medium and large business. 

In the last 12 months, phishing has been businesses' most common cyberattack threat.  Of these attacks, 83% were phishing, while 21% were more sophisticated attacks, like malware or ransomware. So how do you counter this threat? 

Anti-virus software 

One way to protect against cybercrime is to equip devices with the right software and to find the best anti-virus business package. Business packages usually provide advanced features that are not available in consumer products. 

Using a VPN 

Get your business set up with a VPN that all users can access - it will lessen your chances of falling victim to cybercrime.  

A VPN protects each employee on your network against malicious websites. It makes your employees much harder to track when they surf the internet. VPNs channel their browsing data through an encrypted virtual tunnel that hides your IP address. 

This is even more important for businesses with remote workers. If your employees are not based in the office, a business VPN can connect them to the company’s internal network.  

It also means that you can worry less about the security of your employees' various Wi-Fi networks. 

Your IT Team 

Build your business with a strong IT team who have in-depth cybersecurity knowledge. By prioritising IT hires, in the future, you will get your time back to focus on other aspects of the business.  

A clear job description is a  key to recruiting the right people for your IT team. Highlight opportunities for job progression to attract candidates of a higher calibre. 

An IT team carries out security surveys to identify the highest risks. This identifies the aspects of security that need urgent investment. 

Cybersecurity training 

Everyone who works for your business has a role in protecting the network against cyberattacks. They can only do their bit if they’ve had the necessary training. 

Have an organised training portal with compulsory IT training. Educate employees on identifying phishing attempts, GDPR, and incident reporting protocol. 

Take all the steps necessary for cybersecurity and watch your business flourish.