The top 10 cybersecurity tips for small businesses in 2024 are:
- Understand business goals and translate cyber risks.
- Get buy-in from stakeholders.
- Keep assets up-to-date and patched.
- Use anti-virus and anti-malware software.
- Have a data backup strategy.
- Use a password manager.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication.
- Conduct a security risk assessment.
- Set up guest WiFi networks.
- Create overarching security policies.
Small businesses have historically been underserved by the cybersecurity market, with solutions often being too complex, time-consuming to implement, and prohibitively expensive.
This lack of resources and expertise can lead to critical security risks being overlooked, leaving small businesses vulnerable to cyber threats.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 essential cybersecurity tips for small businesses, drawing insights from two experienced cybersecurity professionals, Heather Noggle and Bruno Aburto.
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1. Understand Business Goals and Translate Cyber Risks
The first step in any successful cybersecurity strategy is to understand your business goals and the associated risks.
As Bruno explains:
Most SMBs are probably not focused on security. They’re more focused on profit and just developing their business. And now we as cybersecurity professionals need to translate the risk of cybersecurity and get small businesses to understand that there’s financial impact that could happen if they do have to, or if they realize a risk and suffer a data breach or a cyber attack.
Effectively communicating the potential consequences of a cyber attack, such as financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions, is essential in getting small business owners to prioritize cybersecurity measures.
2. Get Buy-In From Stakeholders
Implementing cybersecurity measures requires buy-in from key stakeholders within the organization. Heather highlights the importance of this step, stating:
So those conversations and getting key people who are stakeholders in the organization to be in agreement that yes, there’s change coming and it’s going to be painful before it’s not. And if those things are aligned, I think there’s a better chance for success for everything that comes after.
Engaging stakeholders early on ensures a smooth transition and increases the chances of successfully adopting new security practices.
3. Keep Assets Up-To-Date And Patched
Software vulnerabilities are a common entry point for cyber attacks. Keeping your assets, including operating systems, applications, and firmware, up-to-date with the latest security patches is crucial.
Bruno emphasizes:
It’s extremely important because as you said, those are an attack vector that attackers can use to gain access to your network and to your systems. So having a frequent weekly or biweekly patching cycle is super important for small businesses.
Establishing a regular patching schedule can significantly reduce your exposure to known vulnerabilities.
4. Use Anti-Virus And Anti-Malware Software
Implementing comprehensive anti-virus and anti-malware solutions is a fundamental step in protecting your systems from malicious software.
Heather stresses:
Absolutely important. If you are an organization, if we’re working with an organization that doesn’t have that in place, there’s probably going back to the beginning of the conversations of here’s why that has to be one of the very first things we do once we notice it’s not there on every machine.
Consider solutions like Microsoft Defender, which can be a cost-effective option for small businesses.
5. Have A Data Backup Strategy
Data is the lifeblood of any business, and losing it can be catastrophic. Implementing a robust data backup strategy is essential to ensure business continuity in the event of a cyber attack or other data loss incident.
Bruno explains:
Backing up your data means that you’re not subject to paying that ransom. And you can go back to a restore point of your information systems and recover and get past that attack.
Maintain both cloud and physical backups for added redundancy and protection against various threats.
6. Use A Password Manager
Weak or reused passwords are a common attack vector for cyber criminals. Implementing a password manager can help mitigate this risk by generating and securely storing unique, complex passwords for each account.
Heather advocates for password managers, stating:
Every site we use, every application should have a unique password. So that’s the first thing I want to bring home. And a long, strong password is a good thing too. It used to be eight characters was fine. You’re going to want these to be 12 to 15 or more. I like them longer. A password manager makes that doable.
7. Enforce Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of authentication, such as a one-time code or biometric data, in addition to a password.
Bruno emphasizes the importance of MFA, saying:
Adding MFA is adding a layer of defense to your systems and to your network. So like Heather mentioned, having password managers are very important. Well, beyond that, having multifactor authentication will make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to the system.
Implement MFA for all critical accounts and consider using authentication apps for added security.
8. Conduct A Security Risk Assessment
A comprehensive security risk assessment is essential for identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities within your organization. Heather recommends using frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the CIS Top 18 Critical Security Controls to guide the assessment process.
She explains:
Security assessments will help us look comprehensively at the whole organization using a framework so that we’re not reinventing the wheel of how we would like to do things.
Conducting regular risk assessments can help you stay ahead of emerging threats and adapt your security strategies accordingly.
9. Set up Guest WiFi Networks
Separating guest and internal networks is a crucial security measure, especially for businesses that operate physical locations or allow visitors.
Bruno advises:
I would recommend hiding your internal network from the public and implementing a guest network for people coming into your business. It separates the two networks and creates a layer of security.
By implementing a separate guest network, you can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your internal systems.
10. Create Overarching Security Policies
Well-documented security policies are the foundation of any robust cybersecurity program.
Heather emphasizes the importance of clear and concise policies, stating:
Policies are very important and they should be in very clean, plain, non-legal language.” Bruno Aburto adds, “For policies, I would stay overarching and say we are going to implement this, not how we’re going to do it.
Develop comprehensive security policies that outline your organization’s approach to cybersecurity and ensure they are easily accessible and understood by all employees.
Wrapping Up
Cybersecurity is a concern for small businesses, as they often lack the resources and expertise to implement robust security measures.
By following these 10 tips, small businesses can significantly improve their security posture and reduce the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches.
Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process, and it’s crucial to regularly assess and adapt your security measures to address evolving threats and changing business needs.
By prioritizing cybersecurity and implementing these best practices, small businesses can protect their assets, maintain customer trust, and ensure business continuity in the face of cyber threats.
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