Hackers usually find such passwords difficult to break. When a cyber attack takes place, businesses usually have to close temporarily to establish what went wrong and make effective changes to prevent an attack happening again. Cloud computin… If you want to properly protect your company from a cyber attack, then you first need to be aware of both the internal and external vulnerabilities your business may be exposed to. Teach avoidance of unsecured websites Staff members should be taught about the importance of never accessing unsecured websites on work devices because this gives cyber criminals direct access to sensitive data that is stored on that device, as well as browser histories and passwords. However, if your company has an online presence, stores customer and company data on digital devices and uses cloud-based software, a thorough cyber security strategy is essential. This is a simple, yet effective way of preventing intruders from walking away with company equipment and the sensitive data they hold. As more and more sensitive information is stored digitally, it’s important that your policy cover not only standard practices such as routine security audits and data backup, but that it also addresses newer concerns such as: 1. These updates are made in response to the latest cyber threats and are therefore a key tool in the fight against cyber attacks. Use A STRONG PASSWORD and change regularly. I understand that the data I am submitting will be used to provide me with the above-described products and/or services and communications in connection therewith. And that’s due to the fact that it becomes useless even if a hacker sniffs it out- and mind you it’s not that easy to break into the encryption available in the market these days. Always entrust this information to a key figure in your IT department and ensure that (s)he is adequately trained on the safe and encrypted storage of this information. 1. Every day, cyber criminals are looking to use the internet to steal private information, money or disrupt how business is done. Know your enemy. • Warning signs of cyber-attacks • Safe practices that they should use • Proper way to respond to a cyber-attack. Join thousands of cybersecurity professionals to receive the latest news and updates from the world of information security. The US, Japan, Britain and South Korea have been identified as some of the biggest targets. Though this will prevent the messages from incorporating any dangerous links, it also means that you won’t be able to receive links from legitimate senders. Having only a password login for employees is not enough. Educate employees on the latest happening in the cyber landscape, so that they can help mitigate cyber risks with ease. An effective cyber crime protection strategy must consist of two elements: preventing physical access to sensitive data and rendering that data useless if … Because if neglected, then it gives an opportunity to anyone and everyone to walk away with your firm’s sensitive data. 6.) The high cost of cyber attacks on small businesses. Today, only 58 percent of U.S. mid-size companies train employees on cybersecurity. Here are five steps to take to reduce your risk of a cyber-attack: 1. As staff members grow tired of the inconvenience, they are likely to return to accessing work on personal devices, regardless of policies prohibiting this. Also, it is better if you don’t overlook the effectiveness of protecting your physical storage disks. It … The first and foremost solution to prevent cyber attacks on companies is to have a secure and sophisticated hardware which are password protected and backed up by 2-way authentication. Knowing How to Prevent Cyber Attacks Can Seem Difficult. Related: Hacking For Good: UAE Startup VUL9 Wants You (And Your Enterprise) To Be Cyber Resilient, Image credit: Finally, install ‘find my device’ software on all laptops, phones and tablets. Use robust anti-malware and firewall softwareResearch has shown that the most common cyber crime experienced in the UAE in 2017 was malware infection, which accounted for 53% of all cyber attacks. Tips for Preventing Cyber Attacks Know the Risks. You can delegate this responsibility for preventing cyberattacks to a Cyber Security Operations Center where trained professionals help and investigate threats and data breaches around the clock using state-of-the-art resources. Businesses need to ensure sufficient security training and education for staff remains a key focus, but where to begin? Download and install software updates for your operating systems and applications as they become available. By doing so, equipment that is stolen can quickly be located by the authorities. 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Naveen Goud is a writer at Cybersecurity Insiders covering topics such as Mergers & Acquisitions, Startups, Cyber Attacks, Cloud Security and Mobile Security, © Copyright footer_current_date - Cybersecurity Insiders, Why application-layer encryption is essential for securing confidential data, Payment Card Information leaked of Proliance Surgeons, Ransomware attack confirmed on Vermont Hospital, How to Fix the Vulnerabilities Targeted in the SolarWinds and FireEye Hack, Russia celebrates 100th anniversary for Cyber Attacks, 2020 Endpoint Security Report [ Delta Risk Motorola ], 2020 Cloud Threat Protection Report [ Netskope ]. It’s wise to invest in cybersecurity insurance these days- Because cybercriminals are becoming too sophisticated these days, they are coming up with ways to break into the most advanced cyber defenses. Seek specialist advice for cyber security insurance Minimize your risk by seeking specialist help to select the best type of insurance for your company, based on your risk of attack and the financial impact of such an event. Implementing this alongside thorough and ongoing employee education on cyber security really is your best bet to ensuring that the threat of a cyber attack never becomes your reality. Use separate computers for business and home. The best offense is a good defense. Here’s how to protect your business from ransomware, phishing attacks, and … The first and foremost solution to prevent cyber attacks on companies is to have a secure and sophisticated hardware which are password protected and backed up by 2-way authentication. Latest figures have shown that cyber crime affected 3.72 million people in the UAE in 2017– costing the country almost AED4 billion. One of the most effective ways to prevent cyber attacks is to ensure that multi-factor authentication has been enabled for all applications that access the internet in your organization. Also, implement complex system passwords that are unique while maintaining a corporate environment that prevents personal and confidential information from being exposed. Increase employee awareness This is one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing a cyber attack. But remember, the backup should be done in an effective manner and that too should be in the retrievable form as soon as a disaster strikes. The more eyes on your businesses cybersecurity, the better. Here’s how to put these steps into action. Invest in cyber security insuranceBecause cyber criminals continue to work tirelessly to find ever more advanced ways of breaching security defenses, even the most security-conscious businesses remain at risk of an attack. But security analysts say that to a large extent most of these attacks are avoidable if companies chose to follow the below-specified steps crafted specifically to protect their enterprises against cyber attacks. Having an effective prevention strategy in place is key to avoiding the risk of cyber attacks. They can achieve this by using longer or more complex passwords. With an increasing amount of cyber-attacks that are designed to steal usernames and passwords (the gateway to data loss and business downtime), this webinar will help you understand just how Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) can be used to stop those attacks in their tracks. Use software in conjunction with education By using firewall and anti-malware software in conjunction with employee education you are well equipped to prevent –or at least deal with– attacks due to ransomware, which can enter computer systems through emails and other employee-related errors. If in case, an attack occurs, most of the policies not only cover the financial loss caused from data theft but also help in co-paying the costs involved in recovering data and that includes paying to data recovery experts and for buying new hardware as well as software. And then how to verify if a network is secure (secure networks require a key/password to access them). As outlined in this article, the steps to achieving the peace of mind and financial security that such a strategy brings should involve the use of up-to-date data encryption, data back-up, and firewalls and anti-malware software. Cyber Attacks on businesses seems to be inevitable- at least with the prevailing situation in the cyber landscape. Also check that this software is activated and updated on all company devices. The losses that can be incurred from data breaches are best mitigated by investing in cyber security insurance, yet only 9% of UK businesses and 15% of US businesses have this type of insurance, according to the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the US Better Business Bureau, respectively. Use a firewall for your Internet connection. Investing in cybersecurity measures may not rule out an attack but will alert the business to attempts and were to up the investment in more measures to keep the hackers away from core systems. If you’re a business owner or manager using computer services, you need to secure the network with a VPN, install a firewall, and use solid passwords to prevent privacy breaches. Ransomware can work quietly in the background and only be detected by an anti-virus programme when it is too late to save your files. Be sure to encrypt all sensitive data, including customer information, employee information and all business data. This scenario of extortion as a result of a cyber attack is becoming more and more common for all business types and sizes. To prevent this, train your employees to make security their watchword. Use Encryption for Sensitive Business Information Use full-disk encryption to protect all your computers, tablets, and smartphones. Top of the list should be educating them about the risks associated with using unsecured networks to access work information. Combine this with regularly backing up your data, such as on the cloud, and you’ll ensure that no critical data is lost in the event of an attack. Here are five tips to help you do just that: 1. Attackers target the disclosed vulnerability during this window of time. As such, it's vital that businesses do all they can to protect themselves online. While effective anti-malware tools catch and isolate software viruses when they strike, preventing these viruses from entering your database in the first place is vital. Do not overlook the effectiveness of physically attaching computers to desks. This will allow you to ensure that your corporation is covered at all times with the … 4.) 1. As you can see, there are number of ways small businesses can fall victim to cyber attacks and fraud. After all, the best offense is a good defense. Shutterstock, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lifecare. But it doesn't have to be. This should include clear definitions of what unsecured networks are, and where they are commonly found such as in coffee shops, airports, hotels and so forth. Don’t overlook safeguarding company hardware Data breaches commonly occur due to stolen equipment and so safeguarding your hardware is an easy strategy in improving your company protection from a cyber threat. Full-disk encryption software is included in virtually all operating systems today and can encrypt all the data on a desktop or laptop computer when it’s at rest. As highlighted by researchers in the International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, data encryption remains the ‘most efficient fix’ for data breaches, should they occur. Restrict network admin rights  Restricting IT admin and access rights to a small handful of users is invaluable in minimizing the risk of data breaches as employees cannot give away information they don’t have access to. Also, it is better if you don’t overlook the effectiveness of protecting your physical storage disks. 2.) In reality, there are just five specific steps that all companies need to follow to effectively protect against cyber attacks: secure your hardware, encrypt and backup all your data, encourage a security-centered culture, use robust firewall and anti-malware software, and invest in cyber security insurance. One reason for the increase in incidents is that end-user software like Cryptolocker has commoditized the malware industry, making it accessible to a wider variety of criminals and less-skilled hackers. For example, the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2018, carried out by the UK government and Portsmouth University found that 43% of UK businesses have experienced a cyber security breach or attack over the last 12 months, with only 20% of UK companies offering training to staff within the same time frame. Companies can achieve the latter by always encrypting their data. 2. To prevent cybercriminals from attacking your small business, implementing the following recommendations: IT support firms advise that you educate personnel on security best practices to safeguard your SMB's network. Encrypt data- Encryption of data gives your company an upper hand when your data falls into wrong hands. Cyber Attack Prevention Plan. Always be wary of cybercriminals, work like you expect an attack. The number of cyber attacks on small businesses continues to rise. So, it is important to invest in software that has been specifically designed to deal with this challenge. Protect against the threat of an attack Even though the threat of cyber attacks is real, it’s easy to forget all about it until one strikes. Email recipients typically need the same encryption capability in order to decrypt. Discourage password sharing Employers can create a security conscious culture in which password sharing seldom happens. Existing anti-virus tools are not very effective against ransomware, which changes almost as quickly as new anti-virus tools are developed. Happen on a daily basis disclosed vulnerability during this window of time data-. Protect your business avast says that IOT are vulnerable to cyber attacks on small.! Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. all rights reserved eyes on your employees safe. 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