At Corvita, we’ve worked with businesses like yours, and we understand the importance of keeping your operations safe from digital threats. By sharing some simple but effective practices, we hope to help you protect your business, so you can focus on what you do best.
1. Prioritise Website Security
For many SMEs, your website is not just a digital storefront – it’s a vital part of how you communicate, serve customers, and manage business processes. Ensuring that your website is secure from cyber-attacks is essential. Here are some key considerations:
- SSL Certificates: This is one of the simplest steps to protect your site and build trust with visitors. An SSL certificate encrypts data transferred between your site and your users, protecting sensitive information.
- Regular Software Updates: Outdated plugins, themes, or platforms are often the easiest way for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. Keep your website’s software up-to-date to ensure you’re protected from known threats.
- Backups: Regularly back up your website so that if something does go wrong, you can recover without significant disruption.
2. Protect Internal Systems
While your website might be your public-facing asset, your internal systems are the backbone of your business. Cyber criminals know that infiltrating these systems can be much more lucrative. So, what can you do to keep them secure?
- Password Policies: It sounds basic, but strong, unique passwords across all systems are your first line of defence. Encourage the use of password managers within your team to help everyone generate and store secure passwords easily.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Wherever possible, implement two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security beyond a password, making it much harder for someone to access your systems without permission.
- Data Encryption: Sensitive data, whether it’s financial information or client details, should always be encrypted. This ensures that even if data is stolen, it cannot be easily read or used.
3. Training Your Team
Often, the weakest link in any cyber security strategy is the human element. It’s vital that your team is aware of the risks and understands how they can help keep your business safe.
- Phishing Awareness: Phishing attacks – where malicious actors trick users into sharing sensitive information – are increasingly sophisticated. Regularly remind your staff to be cautious of unexpected emails, links, or attachments.
- Access Control: Not every employee needs access to all your systems. By limiting access to only what is necessary for their role, you reduce the risk of accidental exposure to vulnerabilities.
- Regular Updates: Cyber security threats evolve, and so should your team's knowledge. Regular training and updates will help keep everyone on the same page when it comes to best practices.
4. Prepare for the Worst
No matter how strong your defences are, no business is entirely immune to cyber threats. That’s why preparation is key.
- Incident Response Plan: Have a plan in place for what to do in the event of a breach. This will save precious time in the event of an attack, helping you contain and minimise damage.
- Cyber Insurance: Consider whether cyber insurance is right for your business. Many insurers offer policies specifically for SMEs that can cover costs associated with a breach, including recovery and legal fees.
5. Working with Trusted Partners
Cyber security can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to manage it all alone. By partnering with experts, you can ensure that your business is taking the right steps to stay protected.
At Corvita, we’re already thinking about the cyber security challenges facing SMEs like yours. By streamlining processes and helping you put the right security measures in place, we aim to protect your business from the ever-evolving threats in the digital world.
Take the time to review your current security setup – you’ll find that investing in these measures will not only protect your business but also give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re ready for whatever the future holds.