When the online security of a business fails, there are many things that we can point to as the cause. Amongst all of these possible causes, we often overlook the human factor. No matter how sophisticated a security tool is, even if it’s able to block all viruses and malware if the user fails to do the right things – some fundamental things – this ‘strong’ security tool will fail. Once this happens, many things are at stake, chiefly, customer data, and information.
Not all security failures are human fault, and not all are the fault of the tools being used. But we can’t rule anything out. If the humans using the tool will practice good cybersecurity hygiene, the chances of a security breach are slim. Yet, the biggest offenders creating risks of cybersecurity breaches are not the executives but employees.
Apart from their roles and duties in the day-to-day running of the business organization, not many employees have a good sense of security awareness. Quite frankly, not all of them have the necessary training that they need to keep data secure. As the employer, you have a role to play in ensuring that ignorant employees do not jeopardize the security of your business. Everyone has to know that they have a role to play in the company’s safety and have to be responsible for it. It is not just the IT department that has to deal with security issues; everyone has to play their part.
Here are five strategies from college paper to help employers ensure the online security of their employees.
1. Train your employees
This is the first step that you have to take to ensure your employees’ cybersecurity. They are more vulnerable when they are ignorant. With knowledge comes power. So, if you have to, hold regular training and workshops on the dangers of a cybersecurity breach and how to avoid it. Teach everyone how to be safe online, whether they are working on their private computers or companies. They have to understand the severity of cyberattacks beyond short briefs.
You could take knowledge of cybersecurity more seriously during the onboarding and train them with it before they even get started. You should also not make the mistake of focusing on the ‘employee-workers’ and forget that your managers are also employees. Everybody in the organization has to be on board with it. It would be best if you were stricter with your top managers because they have more access to information that is sensitive. Their regular travels with the possibility of connecting to different Wi-Fi and networks make them a target also.
2. Make your employees lookout for the right things
If you’re going to be serious with cybersecurity, there’s a right and wrong thing to engage on the internet. Make sure your employees know what to look for and what to join online. Phishing emails requesting sensitive information are a red flag. Also, they shouldn’t log in to anything asking for personal information, including usernames and passwords. These are techniques to infect the company’s computers with malware and viruses.
There are many malicious websites out there as well. So, avoid unsecured URLs. It might be tricky with the URL looking familiar, but check carefully, and you will see little differences that appear like typos. Also, avoid links from unverified sources. Make sure your printers and scanners are secure. These are some few security practices from essay help to teach your employees to stay safe online.
3. Different accounts require different passwords
You cannot afford to use the same passwords for all your company accounts on different platforms. This makes you more vulnerable and would cause more damage if your security is breached. You have to be smart with your use of passwords, but you also have to follow standard cybersecurity practices.
Over the years, there has been an increase in what you’re expected to do to create secure passwords. This is because the use of simple and weak passwords and the same passwords across multiple platforms have given hackers access to different accounts.
To ensure the security of your accounts and passwords, the least that you can do are:
- Use long passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Never save any of your passwords on the browser.
- Don’t use one password for multiple accounts. Create different strong passwords for each account.
- Avoid using numbers that are associated with your details, such as birthdays.
4. Protect customer information
Without a doubt, if you haven’t fallen victim to cyberattacks or your security hasn’t been breached, then your customer data is still safe. However, this deserves special mention and should be taken as necessary as employee privacy. This information was put in your care out of trust, and you don’t want to lose that. To protect customer data, your employees have to store or destroy information relating to customer names and addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, credit card details, personal opinions, etc. They are of extreme importance.
5. Install security software
There is some traditional software used as the security layer to keep corporate data secure such as firewalls, anti-spyware, antiviruses, anti-spam filters, etc. However, these are one layer of security and should remain as such. They can’t be all the security that you have because in the digital world today they are outdated and can be easily outmaneuvered. In order to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, your business has to invest in another security layer more suited to the current world. You should install security software.
One of the many security software you should use is a business VPN, which gives a high level of encrypted internet connection. This is very important to ensure the safety of the company and the customers’ data.
Conclusion
Cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent, and online security only has to get stronger. You don’t want to leave your business vulnerable due to ignorant employees. These five strategies are easy fixes to help make your employees secure online, hence, protecting your company data and preventing a security breach.
