Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are increasingly targeting small and medium businesses, viewing them as easy targets. Aerospace and manufacturing businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are no exception. This article outlines the essential security measures your business should implement to avoid becoming the next victim of a cyberattack.
Are You a Sitting Duck?
As the CEO of a small business, you are under attack. Well-funded cybercrime rings, particularly in China and Russia, are using sophisticated software systems to hack into thousands of small businesses like yours. They aim to steal credit card information, client data, and even money directly from your bank accounts. Some of these cybercriminals are even funded by their governments to target American businesses.
Don’t assume you’re safe because you’re small. Every day, 560,000 new malware threats are released, and half of the cyber-attacks target small businesses. These incidents often go unreported due to fear of bad publicity, lawsuits, data breach fines, and embarrassment. The National Cyber Security Alliance reports that one in five small businesses have been victims of cybercrime in the past year, and this number is rapidly increasing as more businesses move to cloud computing and mobile devices.
7 Critical Security Measures
Given the escalating threats, it’s crucial to have these seven security measures in place:
- Train Employees on Security Best Practices
The biggest vulnerability for business networks is the employees using them. It’s common for an employee to compromise an entire network by clicking on a phishing email. If they don’t know how to identify malicious emails or online scams, they could jeopardize your entire operation. Regular training on security best practices is essential to mitigate this risk.
- Create and Enforce an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
An AUP outlines how employees are allowed to use company-owned devices, software, internet access, and email. Implementing a policy that restricts access to certain websites and using content-filtering software and firewalls to enforce it can prevent many security breaches. This is especially important if employees use personal devices for work, as these can be gateways for hackers if not properly secured.
- Require Strong Passwords and Passcodes
Ensure that passwords are at least eight characters long and include a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers. For mobile devices, require a passcode to prevent unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen. Your network administrator should enforce these requirements to prevent employees from choosing weak passwords.
- Keep Your Network Up-to-Date
Regularly updating your software and systems is crucial to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Managed IT services can automate these updates, ensuring that you don’t miss critical patches that could leave your network exposed.
- Maintain an Excellent Backup System
A robust backup system can protect against ransomware attacks, where hackers lock your files and demand a ransom for their release. With proper backups, you won’t need to pay to recover your data. Automated and monitored backups also safeguard against accidental deletions, natural disasters, hardware failures, and other data-loss scenarios.
- Prevent Unauthorized Software Downloads
Cybercriminals often gain access to networks by tricking users into downloading malicious software. This risk can be mitigated by using a good firewall, employee training, and monitoring to prevent unauthorized downloads.
- Invest in a Good Firewall
A firewall acts as the frontline defense against hackers by blocking unauthorized access to your network. However, firewalls require regular monitoring and maintenance to remain effective. This should be part of your routine IT maintenance.
Implementing These Essentials
If you’re concerned about the risks posed by cybercriminals, consider implementing a managed security plan for your business. At Justice IT Consulting, we offer a free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment to help you identify and address potential vulnerabilities in your network.
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for aerospace and manufacturing businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Implementing these seven essential security measures can protect your business from the growing threat of cybercrime. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Justice IT Consulting today to schedule your free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment and ensure your business is protected.
