Información comercial

How to protect your business against cyber threats

Malicious actors are constantly evolving and improving their techniques, developing new viruses and more sophisticated attack methods. So, how can you protect your business against cyber threat?

“Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to protecting your customer data and critical systems against malicious actors that might apply 100 fold.” — Josh Campbell

There are practical steps that any company can take to minimizar los riesgos. Comience por comprender los riesgos de su negocio y sea cuidadoso al abordarlos. Aquí le mostramos los pasos clave para ayudarle a anticiparse al riesgo cibernético en su negocio.

1. Monitor your third-party service providers

No es suficiente proteger sus propias computadoras. Sus proveedores externos, como proveedores de servicios de cuentas por pagar, deben tener el mismo cuidado al proteger la información de sus clientes.

The consequences of a data security breach can be far-reaching. In addition to your business’s reputational risk, you could lose shareholder value and face lawsuits, fines, and penalties.

It’s also important to review your providers business continuity and incident response plans. If your provider’s systems or services crash, what’s the back-up plan?

2. Trascienda el cumplimiento

Don’t be satisfied with regulatory compliance. Stay aware and ahead of emerging risks. For instance, cryptocurrency brings on an entirely new realm of risks and oversight that business owners and managers need to monitor.

3. Indague sobre las obligaciones de las adquisiciones

If your business is acquiring another firm, make sure it has strong cybersecurity controls and systems in place. Legacy products or services could create control and systems concerns in your organization — take extra steps to ensure your organization isn’t exposed to risks you haven’t originally considered.

4. Contrate personas inteligentes y aproveche los recursos locales

Como los piratas cibernéticos son un riesgo constante, no escatimes en tecnología. Contrate al mejor personal de tecnología de la información e invierta en una infraestructura tecnológica robusta, o evalúe la posibilidad de externalizar las funciones de TI y seguridad cibernética. Intentar ahorrar dinero adoptando un enfoque de "hágalo usted mismo" podría resultar costoso a largo plazo.

Because small businesses don’t have deep pockets and can’t be expected to have a wealth of knowledge or expertise, it’s important that you to access local resources. Leverage resources available to small businesses to strengthen your cybersecurity practices such as Administración de Pequeños Negocios de EE. UU., National Cybersecurity Alliance, and local business incubators (ex: Birmingham’s Innovation Depot)

5. Haga que la gestión de riesgos sea responsabilidad de todos

Los empleados son el eslabón más débil en la seguridad cibernética de un negocio. Uninformed employees are more likely to fall for phishing scams, click on suspicious links and download malware, or use their own electronic devices that could compromise security.

That makes it important to integrate risk management into your business’s culture. Make it something that everyone is aware of and helps take responsibility for. It is everyone’s job in the organization to spot and report suspicious activity. Make the goal of data protection one of your highest priorities by promoting employee awareness and leveraging appropriate security tools to help prevent falling to an attack.