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As the internet becomes ever more important, and more businesses move their operations online, the risks associated with internet security grow. Cybercriminals take advantage of those whose systems are unsecured, and the technology of hacking develops almost as quickly as the technology designed to stop them. And yet it’s impossible to avoid this entirely, particularly with employees working from home and clients interested in remote dealings more than ever. So, how do you keep your business safe online? There are many policies you can implement and systems you can follow to help you and your employees keep your data secure and protected.
Device Policies
Particularly with employees working from home, the risk of your network being compromised is higher than ever. You can mitigate this risk by implementing strict device policies, meaning your employees are prohibited from accessing company databases from their personal computers. It may require startup costs as you supply each individual with a company device, but it ultimately means you can control security across the board and ensure that every access point is equally safe.
Use Expert Solutions
If you’re not technologically minded (or even if you are) you don’t have to muddle your way through alone. There are expert companies that exist purely to help other businesses navigate their internet security. By using this IT support you are availing yourself of experts in their field, who will be able to analyze and monitor your systems, ensuring your protection is up to date and as effective as possible. With this help at your fingertips, why wouldn’t you make use of it?
Passwords
It’s a simple tip, but it’s always worth repeating: keep your passwords secure, and keep them obscure. Passwords composed of names or familiar dates are unbelievably simple for hackers to infiltrate in less than a minute. In contrast, completely random passcodes made up of random letters, numbers, and symbols, and at least twelve characters could take thousands of years for a high-powered computer to solve. Which would you rather have protecting your company data? Keep different passwords for every account you use, and don’t keep any record of them online or on your computer, as these could be hacked as well. It’s also a very good idea to implement a password policy across your staff to ensure there are no weak links in the business.
Verify Documents
Your business will be liable for fraud if it is found that any of the documents are not authentic. Businesses get handed or sent thousands of documents, and it’s important that you can say for sure that they are all genuine. It’s for this reason that businesses have begun to use verifiable credentials to check which documents are and are not real. This protects the business by keeping it safe from this kind of fraudulent behavior, ensuring that you will not be liable for any legal misconduct.
Always Get a Second Opinion
Sometimes the easiest way for a business to be compromised is not through advanced hacking or data breaches but through simple human error. Business to business frauds are more common than you might expect, and the majority of them happen through online channels. If anyone approaches you, or emails you with an offer or anything else that you’re not sure about, take your time to think about it before responding. Don’t guess; get a second opinion from a legal advisor or another business you trust, before even responding, and certainly before opening any attachments as these can carry viruses. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, after all.