The 7 deadly sins of Cybersecurity

Is Your Business Protected From a Cyber Attack?

No matter how big or small your organisation is, the possibility of a cyber-attack is real and, unfortunately, grows every year, with a 61% increase since 2016. There’s never been a more crucial time to ensure your business’ IT systems are secure.

Here are the 7 common cybersecurity mistakes that too many companies are guilty of and what you need to do to ensure your business is protected:

Failing to have a backup system in place

A properly managed backup system is essential, and this is arguably the most important step for ensuring your business is protected. Cyber-attacks can strike at any time. A secure backup system ensures the safety of your data and files, meaning you can restore your network easily. Just be sure to perform regular backup checks!

Weak passwords

Having password policies in place will help you and your staff make sure passwords are as secure as possible. From updating passwords regularly to including uppercase letters, there are many ways to strengthen your passwords. These best practices can be a bit tedious, but they may well save you from a cyber-attack!

Not having a firewall installed

Another common cybersecurity mistake is neglecting to have a firewall. Due to their cost and the assumption (hope) that you’re unlikely to get hit by a cyber attack - it can be easy to forgo a firewall. But simply put, having a business-grade firewall that is correctly configured will make your system more secure from intrusion, and you can rest assured the cost will easily be returned in the value it provides.

Unclear IT best practices for staff

It’s crucial that your staff understand what constitutes acceptable use of your IT systems, from browsing the internet to the use of their own devices in the office. You can have all the right software, but if the processes aren’t being followed, then it won’t matter. Don’t leave it to chance – make sure you have clear policies in place. We can advise you on the best technology security practices for you and your staff that will make sure no risks are taken and that your business is always safe.

Opening emails you aren’t 100% sure about

Phishing emails are the number one culprit in the transmission of ransomware, malware and viruses. Train your staff on how to use emails and make sure that everyone treats unusual or unexpected emails with extreme caution. If in doubt - don’t open it!

A lack of virus and malware protection

It is vital that your business has a good, business-grade virus and malware protection system that is always on and always up-to-date. This software will work autonomously to scan and counteract the risk of any potential viruses for any virus, preventing any damage to your computer or system before it can occur. 

Still using old operating systems

Don’t use old and out-of-date operating systems which are no longer supported by their manufacturer. Make sure that your operating systems are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches. Viruses and hackers will take advantage of insecure and unsupported operating systems, such as Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft SBS 2003.

Not using  two Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication gives your business’ IT systems an extra layer of security, minimising the risk of an attacker impersonating a user and gaining access to computers, accounts or other classified information.

As you can clearly see, in order to operate safely when utilising technology within your business, there are a lot of things you should avoid. However, now that you are equipped with this knowledge, you should have a better understanding of how to effectively protect your business in this modern world. 

If you would like to find out more information on what else to avoid, get in touch with one of our friendly cyber-security superheroes, and we’ll gladly discuss your existing situation as well as recommendations for how to stay secure. At BTP UK, we offer a wide range of managed cyber security solutions that will give you the peace of mind that your organisation is protected.