October is National Cybersecurity Month, and our Business Services team has ten tips to help you protect the cybersecurity of your business or nonprofit while online:
- Set a strong password policy. Passwords should be at least 8 characters long and include numbers, special characters, and a mix of upper and lower cases. Avoid personal or public information, and use a unique password for each account.
- Secure your Wi-Fi. Encrypt and password-protect your networks. If you offer Wi-Fi access to guests, it should be separate from the network you use to conduct business.
- Control access to computers. Each employee should have their own user account, and should always lock their computer anytime they step away.
- Encrypt emails with sensitive data. When sending an email with sensitive information or attachments, encryption will give you an essential layer of security.
- Keep your software up to date. Cybercriminals release new threats every single day, and out-of-date software is responsible for an estimated 22% of security risks.
- Identify your sensitive data. All organizations are trusted with data appealing to a cybercriminal, such as employee personal information, tax records, customer payments, vendor information, and bank accounts. Identify what data your business or nonprofit has access to, and classify it based on its sensitivity.
- Secure your sensitive data. For each piece of data you identified, determine how it is handled, where it will be located, who has access to it, and under what circumstances it may be accessed.
- Develop a security policy. Formalize a security policy, or set of rules and best practices for protecting sensitive information, to be published and shared within your organization. There are a number of free templates and resources available online to help you get started.
- Make cybersecurity training a priority. Businesses and nonprofits often have multiple people involved in the day to day activities. Ensure all members follow cybersecurity best practices and can spot the red flags of cyber fraud.
- Layer your security. Combine web-filtering, spam email filtering, antivirus software, malware protection, and firewalls along with a clear security policy and an emphasis on employee training.
SESLOC Business Services has a dedicated team providing personal, one-on-one guidance to empower local businesses and nonprofits with solutions and expertise designed to lead the way. Contact us today at (805) 573-1816 x578 or submit an inquiry to learn how our team can support your goals.
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