Click here to get this post in PDF
The Covid 19 pandemic turned homes into offices, physical meetings, into digital ones. And these efforts have been ignited by cyberspace. But unfortunately, this has left millions of people with another story to tell- the surge in cybercrime. Among the most hit are the digital entrepreneurs.
The internet woes have made cybersecurity more critical than ever. As a digital entrepreneur, you may be wondering what could be the best way to improve your cybersecurity and avoid cyberattacks.
Why would one invest in cybersecurity?
Without cybersecurity, the business becomes alluring to cybercriminals.
It’s a thing of the past to only rely on firewalls and antivirus software. These criminals are pro in their tactics.
To help small businesses thrive despite the risks on hand, we have come up with valuable tips on how digital entrepreneurs in Canada can deal with cybersecurity.
What digital entrepreneurs in Canada need to know about Cyber Security
Approximately half of the small businesses in Canada have been cyberattack victims. Unbelievable, 60% of the businesses go down drastically. This has made cybersecurity a priority for digital entrepreneurs.
This pandemic has been a mentor to the small businesses, forcing them to adopt ways to keep off the online criminals.
According to a survey commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), nearly 47% of Canadian small businesses don’t have a cybersecurity budget. This brings us to the notion of what every digital entrepreneur should do to keep safe from cyberattacks.
Below are a few valuable tips on cybersecurity;
Vpn Usage
One of the quickest and most affordable ways to protect yourself online is to use a trustworthy VPN service. There are reliable VPN providers in Canada for cybersecurity.
A VPN will protect your digital data. It will also help mask the location and get safe access to cloud services. You don’t need to be an IT guru to conduct the setup and installation; the VPN providers have made it easy to implement.
Have A Disaster Recovery Solution Or Cloud Backup
Ensure to have backups for all the important data for your business. For instance, you can use Arcserve Unified Data Protection (UDP), Backblaze Business Backup, Acronis Cyber Protect, among others.
Change Passwords Often
You can change unique passwords every few months to avoid cyber criminals guessing the passwords. Also, ensure to educate your workers about the need for the same. You can also add an extra layer of security by using different authentication factors for signing into accounts.
Get Cyber Insurance
One best way to protect yourself from cybersecurity risks and data breaches is to have cybersecurity insurance. Cyber insurance coverage is one way to keep your business going even after an attack. If your business has been at stake, the insurance can help you recover compromised data restore customers’ or employees’ data. An experienced insurance broker can help you get the best coverage, depending on your needs.
Stay Informed on The Newest Security Threats
A significant number of business owners claim to handle cyberattacks independently, unaware that online criminals keep on gaining new ways to attack. For instance, ransomware attacks rose in 2020 after the pandemic hit. Also, you can attend live events and update security plans regularly. With this, you are three times better at mitigating a breach if you are prepared.
Software Update
Constant software update is one to protect yourself from cyber-attacks. When installing updates, only use what has been tested. Some have used free software without being aware of them being infected with malware.
Use Device Encryption
Device encryption uses a secret code to protect your sensitive information. Your data cannot be accessed by unauthorized access. Most of the supported devices have this feature, but if it’s available, you can have standard BitLocker encryption. For instance, the Windows 10 Pro has a Surface Pro that has device encryption; you only need to ensure it’s turned on.
But, the core thing to ensure what you receive or send is protected is to have a VPN.
Have Your Employees Trained
Business owners must ensure the employee culture is one conscious about cybersecurity. It would pay to have all the employees well-equipped with the correct information on cybersecurity, what to look out for, and how to avoid cyberattacks. Besides, there should be clear steps on what to do after a breach to minimize the risk that could be incurred in case an incident occurs.
Is your business at risk of cyberattack?
Irrespective of your digital activities, cybersecurity should be your top priority. The problem is that many internet users are not aware of the cyberattacks they are exposed to. You don’t want to incur damages or risk your business going down.
The use of cyber insurance can help mitigate the risks of cyberattack expenses. But even before getting insurance, a business owner should ensure they have taken the above preventive measures to reduce the chances of cyberattacks.
Also, consider cyber-security planning. You can discuss the issues with experts and get to know what may be at a higher risk of cyber security threats. And lastly, ensure to have an effective budget for your cyber security costs.
You may also like: Cybersecurity – The Most Common Threats to Your Business
We earn a small commission if you shop through the link below
Image source: elements.envato.com
