In the dynamic landscape of business operations, accounting firms are increasingly recognizing the significance of secure file sharing as a pivotal aspect of their daily activities. With the evolution of technology, the traditional methods of exchanging paper documents and files are making way for more efficient and secure online alternatives.
Read MoreToday, data breaches and cyber-attacks are common, continual, and harder to detect. Identity theft, for example, has become a menace that most businesses have to grapple with. As cyber security breaches continue to multiply, the need for security compliance and vulnerability management has never been as critical.
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Reputation plays an important role in the success of a company or organization, but a data breach can seriously damage an organization’s reputation. Internet security isn’t just for big companies anymore. Hackers often target smaller organizations, causing significant damage. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations need to protect their assets.
Every organization that connects to the internet, uses email or has any sort of information on their computer, can be at risk from cybersecurity threats. Your website and domain names may also be at risk from theft and data loss without some level of security. A thorough examination of the data your organization holds and the points of access that a hacker could gain access to or control of your systems is the first step to preventing such attacks. The U.S. Small Business Administration has several resources to help you identify and reduce your risks.
As you make a plan to approach your security risks, ensure your security complies with government regulations. Compliance breaches can put you at risk of fines and other financial losses if you’re subject to the requirements of HIPAA, FERPA, FINRA, and others. If your organization holds any kind of federal data, then you should also familiarize yourself with NIST 800-171 compliance measures. Many compliance guidelines include the steps you should take toward compliance and to remain in compliance as your organization grows. These guidelines may also help you improve your risk assessment and security measures.
You should regularly back up important data in case of a cyber-attack or accidental data loss. Automated software that backs up your data to a cloud service can be the easiest way to maintain data backups, but cloud services do present some security risks of their own. Backing up your information to a server or hard drive that normally remains disconnected from the internet can be a safer way to preserve your information. You may even want to consider both options if the loss of your data could cause a lot of harm to the operation of your organization.
There are many types of internet security software available for businesses and organizations. At the most basic level, your organization should have a firewall and antivirus software. The software is already installed on Windows computers, but additional security software is recommended. Message encryption software can protect the integrity of your email information. Depending on the framework of your website, protection may be included or you may need additional software to reduce the chance of a damaging attack. Finally, your organization may want to consider whether employee access to data through their cell phones is worth the risk of a breach, as breaches through cell phone use have been rising.
Once your cybersecurity measures are in place and your data has been backed up, you should train your employees on how to use the secured systems. Strong passwords and other login information can also be an important step in increasing your organization’s security. An important process you should train your employees on is how to update your protection software and how often updates should be completed. You may also want to consider having a professional cybersecurity firm that can consult with you for risk assessment, implementation, and employee training.
Cybercrime is a genuine threat for many companies. The FBI estimates that cybersecurity attacks cost the US economy billions of dollars each year. Any organization that relies on the internet can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Taking precautions can prevent the compromise of your information and protect your organization from data breaches that lead to financial loss.
If you have recently launched a new business, the chances are that you are more concerned about funding and finances than cybersecurity. In the Covid-19 world, the economic climate has turned on its head with unemployment becoming rife and businesses folding.
While you may be worried about your financial situation, you cannot neglect the importance of your cybersecurity. The pandemic has allowed many cybercriminals to hack into vulnerable systems and take advantage of a chaotic situation. To combat this, your cybersecurity measures need to be maintained to enable your assets to remain safe. Read on to find out how to keep your small business secure.
Integration Software
When you are looking to streamline your business, you will inevitably welcome more tech into your company. New software can result in a vulnerability in your systems and processes. However, if you head to virtusflow.com, you can employ a full digital automation process that has cybersecurity at its heart through strong governance features. When you are installing apps or document integration tools, you need to know that they are impregnable. Always opt for a reputable supplier of software with exceptional aftercare and support should any security flaws need patching.
Training
It’s vital that you are able to give some refresher training to your staff every year. Your staff can quickly become complacent when it comes to cybersecurity. Everyone knows that they aren’t meant to be opening those dodgy looking email attachments, and yet this remains the number one way adware or malware infects your systems. Encourage your staff to change their passwords every three months and to utilize random alphanumeric combinations. Passwords need to be hard to break and hack. You also need to make sure that your staff is signed up for cybersecurity policy. With the onus on them to keep your business assets secure, they will be more inclined to actively think about their behavior across the network and online.
If in doubt about your cybersecurity, outsource your IT requirements to a third party. They will ensure that your data remains secure. They'll also complete regular backups of your systems to minimize the risk to business integrity should a data breach occur.
Working From Home
With the Covid-19 crisis, working from home has become the norm as explored at forbes.com. This has made company assets more vulnerable. You don’t know how to secure home WiFi systems are, so you are placing trust in your staff team to be responsible and use common sense. Ensure that the most sensitive documents are accessible by only those people who really need to see them. The more permissions you grant, the more likely it is that a security breach will occur. There is no reason to distrust your staff team, but you can encourage more responsible online behaviour.
Your business needs to be secure and have backed up data, so should a breach occur you can carry on trading. Give your cybersecurity measures the attention they deserve to ensure that your business can thrive in a post-pandemic world.
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