Today, a cyberattack is no longer a problem for large online businesses. Data on CNBC shows that 43 percent of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses. These cyberattacks cost businesses of all types and size an average of $200,000. So, regardless of the size of your online business, you must put the right measures for keeping it secure in place. Here are 5 brilliant ways to keep your online business safe and secure.
1. Use an Effective Firewall on Your Network
An effective firewall acts as the first line of defense against all forms of cyberattacks on your payment terminal. Today, cybercriminals and hackers attack your terminal with malware and access sensitive data, including credit card information and personal data, from any part of the world, anytime.
A firewall protects and defends your devices against malware and a variety of other techniques used by cybercriminals. Firewalls, for instance, can notice when huge volumes of data are being inserted on or pulled out from your network. The firewall will automatically stop the activity, especially if it hasn’t been approved by an authorized person.
2. Have a Dedicated Payment Terminal Network
To lower the odds of a successful cyberattack, have a dedicated network for your terminal and another one for your general store. Most times, cyber criminals access your system through your staff. They hack into a staff member’s computer through phishing techniques, obtain your network’s access data, and then effortlessly access your payment terminal.
If you have a separate payment terminal network and provide the access pass to one or two competent individuals, you’ll significantly decrease the chances of success for cybercriminals. They’ll find your business hack-proof, and they may perhaps skip it and keep looking for an easier target.
3. Set Strong Passwords and Change them Regularly
Data breaches aren’t always the outcomes of hacking attempts. At times, they happen from unauthorized individuals cracking accounts and computer login details and using them to steal important data. By using strong passwords, you can lower the likelihood of unauthorized individuals deciphering your passwords and casually accessing your system.
To get started, have separate passwords for your different accounts or devices. Ensure they’re long and consisting of letters, numbers, and even special characters. Be sure to implement a strict multi-factor authentication technique for an additional layer of security. Most importantly, ensure you change your passwords at least after every three months.
4. Train Your Employees on the Best Cybersecurity Practices
As mentioned earlier, most cybercriminals attempt to access company networks and systems through employees, oftentimes through phishing methods, or decoding their passwords. Training your workers on the value of cybersecurity and ways to detect unauthorized activity can substantially lower the likelihood of data breaches and inspire accountability in your employees. Every team member should have a clear idea of their role in maintaining data security and actions to take in case of a data breach.
Ensure your employees have access to proper tools and software to unzip files. Such services will foster seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing among your employees.
5. Adopt Cloud-based Storage
Cloud computing is not just inexpensive but also a secure option for storing sensitive business data. Keep in mind that companies that offer cloud solutions hire competent individuals with broad data security knowledge. They take the headache of keeping your business data safe and secure from you.
You need to make sure the cloud service provider you partner with is trustworthy and has the necessary facilities and measures to keep your data private and safe. In addition to cloud-based storage, you should also store your business data in a local storage system.
Conclusion
Any online business should implement measures for keeping data security breaches away. It should also have a recovery strategy in place in the event of a successful data breach. The above 5 brilliant tips will help protect your online business against cyberattacks. Be sure to regularly audit your data security strategy for potential vulnerabilities and make appropriate adjustments. Also, consult a cybersecurity specialist for more professional advice.
