This 9th Feb on Safer Internet Day, we bring you 15 tips for a safer internet, to bring more effectiveness for your business.
Cyber-security but also bring more effectiveness in your online activities for your business. All you have to do is follow these tips regularly because cyber-security is not a goal; it’s a journey.
1. Ensure Source of Data Collection for Business:
It is quite evident that most of the data sources on the Web are not safe. The data collection process of businesses needs to be regulated with safety guidelines to ensure data security. Companies’ IT heads can devise a plan for these data collection processes, including all do’s and don’ts of online activities.
2. Use Multiple Authentication Measures:
Authentication is necessary to identify the users and scan the provided credentials to authorize the database usage. Using multiple authentication methods will ensure security over authorization of the database. There are two popular multiple authentication methods you can use for the identifications of users.
First is the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method that requires more than one device to identify a user. For, example an OTP sent to a user’s mobile for desktop authentication.
The second is Token-based Authentication, a method in which users enter their credentials and receive a random string of characters as a token. This digital token can be used to access protected systems.
3. Applying Strong Passwords:
Since we are talking about secure authentication practices, using strong passwords to access systems is another safe authentication measure you can practice. Employees should be trained to use strong passwords to avoid any issues during their authentications.
Instead of using personal items and favorite words for passwords, use a string of unique characters. For example, BN_ERA2381R or QW$ERT#687 are a complex string of characters but are robust password options. These might seem difficult to remember, but they pay-off as they are difficult to memorize with one look over them.
4. Regular Software Updates:
Outdated software versions become an easy target for data theft; hence, software companies always upgrade their software with new versions. To ensure security from data theft, update all the software regularly.
Updating software ensures data-security, but it also provides the perks of enjoying an updated version of the software like latest security patch, improved stability and, new features. Updating software also brings more efficiency while performing a task on the software.
5. Ensuring Back-up for all Data:
Data theft isn’t the only reason for data loss. There are multiple causes for data loss, and hence we recommend you maintain a strong base for data back-up. Data back-up is one of a way for securing yourself from data loss issues.
Medium-sized business entities can maintain data back-up by using external hard drives and network-attached storage. Using cloud storage servers is also a great option, but we will talk more about that in the next tip.
6. Take advantage of the Cloud:
Any company that wants to outsource their data protection can consider Cloud a good option for data back-up. However, companies should check the facts on the datacenters and storage placements before signing up for Cloud services.
7. Firewall Security for Internet Connection:
Using a network firewall security device will scan and detect which incoming or outgoing network traffic is to be blocked or not. Firewall security devices are the front-line defense for network security. The firewall policies mitigate the access of unauthorized users or other breaching activities.
There are multiple services offered in the market for Network Firewall security. You have to consider every feature before purchasing one.
8. Follow Safe Web Search Protocols:
The companies’ workforce may use the IT networks for searching for services for themselves or the company. While conducting such searches on the Web, they should look for HTTPS and padlocks in the address bar for any website page to ensure safety.
Training should be conducted for employees to check their awareness while performing such web searches. It will make employees more alert from the phishing attacks on the internet.
9. Using Secure Mail Communication:
Primary mail communication services like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook are used for business communication but still have phishing attacks and, data-loss as two significant threats to email communication. Spammy emails are an example of such phishing attacks.
Using a private mail communication service solely for business is one way to ensure encrypted messaging to avoid data breaches and phishing attacks.
10. Response Team for Cyber Threats:
Companies are suggested to build a response team to avert any cyber-crime or instantly recover any data loss. These response teams for most companies are their highly skilled IT heads. There is also an out of box solution than having a response team.
It is not that all hackers are evil. There are two types of hackers, white hat hackers and black hat hackers. Some companies recruit white hat hackers; they have positive intentions and do not practice activities remotely related to cyber-crime.
11. Fix Early, Fix Often:
The problem with a response team usually is that they often don’t take care of the problem as soon it occurs. Such delay in responding to issues might lead to severe cases like data loss or a cyber-security breach.
Hence, problems must be fixed as soon as it appears and also as often as possible. A highly reactive team is key to ensuring a company from some of the cyber-crimes.
12. Device Guidelines for External Communication:
For business reasons, employees often have to communicate with external parties, such as vendors, service providers, or even potential clients. There are some cases in which such communications have left an open window for cyber-crime.
Companies must devise some strict guidelines over external communication and conduct training to ensure these guidelines are followed to tackle this issue.
13. Manage the Flow of Data:
As we progress with business, our data becomes more complex, and it has become challenging to keep the data safe and less complicated. Companies should trace the data flow within their organization. Managing data flow within or outside the organization will give you an overview of potential data breach threats.
14. Stay updated on new Technologies and Vendors:
Like updating software can provide both security and speed while performing a task on it, companies should also be on the look-out for new technologies that will upgrade their way of doing business. So, it is vital to stay updated on the technologies available in the market.
15. 100% Security is a Myth:
Although we have discussed tips for safer internet activities, it’s true that “100% Security is a Myth”. There will be some loopholes or weak points which cyber-criminals can use against companies. So, we recommend you take out time regularly and over-look if there are any such weak points. Taking these measures will take some time, but the efforts will pay-off with security.
So, these were 15 tips for business on Safer Internet Day to bring more effectiveness. We hope these tips will be of value to you and help you achieve your business goals. So here’s, wishing you safer internet ahead in the future for your business activities.
Rajvansh Adagale is a well versed content writer with over more than 2 years of experience in most forms of writing. He is experimental in his writing style and research for content. Also a huge believer of Seth Godin's idea of "write as you speak". Rajvansh believes in establishing a conversation with the minds of the reader to build a connection.
