It's not a game: Cyber-Security for your business

Uh Oh! Data Breach!

In an era where cyber threats loom larger than ever, safeguarding the digital frontier is crucial for small businesses seeking to protect their operations, reputation, and bottom line. I recommend five steps designed to fortify your defenses against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risks.

Educating Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices

Twice now, I have had an employee click a link… It is remarkably easy to download a phishing document, malware, tracking viruses, ransomware, denial-of-service or man-in-the-middle attacks… SQL injections, zero-day exploitation, XSS or cross-site scripting (to steal traffic from your website), etc. A comprehensive training program should be used to equip staff with the knowledge of identifying phishing attempts, managing passwords securely and recognizing malicious activities. Encourage a culture of cybersecurity mindfulness and sharing can help to ensure that these practices become autonomous. I recommend regular updates and continuous learning modules to keep the information current and top-of-mind. Given the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, staying abreast of the latest security protocols and threat vectors can significantly enhance a small business’s defense mechanisms.

*Note: Be sure to foster an open environment where an employee will immediately report a potential breach without fearing retaliation or penalties.

Establish a Solid Incident Response Plan

One foundational element in fortifying a small business against cyber threats is the development of a comprehensive incident response plan. Such a plan should not only aim at minimizing the damage in the aftermath of a cyber incident but should also ensure business continuity with minimal disruptions. To this end, the plan must outline clear procedures and responsibilities for responding to various types of cyber incidents. This includes identifying the signs of an attack, promptly isolating affected systems to prevent the spread of the threat and communicating effectively both internally and externally with cyber professionals and other affected parties. This step is crucial not only for transparency but also for maintaining trust and adhering to legal obligations.

*Note: If your business is required to report a breach to a regulatory body, please have this at your fingertips. Non-compliance is dangerous and carries heavy penalties.

Have Strong Access Controls and Authentication Processes

Implementing strong access controls and authentication processes forms the cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity posture for small businesses. Each employee should have access only to the resources necessary to perform their job functions and nothing more. In addition to setting up strict access controls, incorporating advanced authentication processes can significantly enhance security measures. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a critical tool in this context. It requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource, thereby adding an additional layer of security beyond just a username and password. Implementing biometric verification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, can provide even greater security for accessing critical systems. Passwords cannot be “stored” at the desk and should be “substantial or strong” and not easily guessable.

Assessing Your Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Closing the Doors

A rigorous assessment of cybersecurity risks is a foundational step for small businesses aiming to fortify their operations against digital threats. This process begins with identifying and cataloging all digital assets, from customer databases to financial records and proprietary software. Understanding where your valuable data resides and how it flows within and outside the organization is crucial.

Subsequently, businesses must evaluate the vulnerabilities associated with these digital assets. This means looking into potential security weaknesses that could be exploited by cybercriminals, such as outdated software, weak passwords, or unsecured network connections. Once identified, small businesses should consider external cybersecurity evaluations such as penetration testing, where ethical hackers attempt to breach system defenses to identify weak spots.

Cybersecurity tools such as the following are highly recommended:

1.      Password encryption software (I.E. Nordpass, RoboForm, Keeper, 1Password, Keeper, Bitdefender) to keep your passwords more secure and coincidently recoverable as well;

2.      Email encryption software (I.E. Proton Mail, Virtru, Preveil, Private-Mail) which enables encryption not only of the content/message but also the attachments that your staff are sending;

3.      Data encryption software (I.E. BitLocker, FileVault, VeraCrypt, AxCrypt, GnuPG) to protect your files on individual workstations and in network storage;

4.      Firewall physical and software (I.E. Barracuda, Huntress, LoadMaster) to inspect ingoing and outgoing traffic including packet filtering, stateful inspection and application-level gateways…because these vulnerabilities are not always apparent and can be used to circumvent other security measures; and

5.      Robust backup protocols and systems so that in the event of an event, you can be up and running quickly from backed up data that should be clean of the cyber threat.

In conclusion, securing a small business in the digital age is multifaceted and requires continuous updating. By prioritizing the education of employees on cybersecurity best practices, establishing a robust incident response plan, implementing strong access control and authentication processes, and regularly assessing cybersecurity risks to identify vulnerabilities, small businesses can construct a formidable defense against cyber threats. An enormous number of small businesses have been devastated by cyber criminals and the threats are only growing. Be prudent and get your defenses ready.

Curry Andrews, Attorney