Worried about what a cyber attack would do to your business? We take a look at what you can do to lower the risk and prepare your defence.
Knowledge is power
The world of cyber and technology is constantly evolving and the risks that threaten your business can look different one day to the next. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the latest learnings and developments in cyber security, as well as ensuring that it’s included as a key part of your scheduled staff training. While getting audited and approved through accreditation is a great step, your staff learning journey should not end there. The key to successfully remaining vigilant against cyber risk is through continued learning.
Keep your software updated
Cybercriminals will be quick to pounce if they notice any vulnerability in your IT network and these can quickly arise when software isn’t updated regularly or when advised. A significant amount of breaches can arise from systems which don’t use the latest operating systems and using outdated software, so ensuring to update can go a long way in keeping your systems secure against cybercrime.
Encourage staff to think before they click
Many attacks that happen to businesses arise because a member of staff has clicked on a phising email or link. These often link to malicious software which allows cybercriminals to conduct their attack on your business. Ensure to spread awareness amongst your staff about how they can spot phising emails and what they should do if they receive anything suspicious in their inboxes. This is particularly important when staff are working remotely as their guard may be down.
Form your defence
Over the past year, more than half of SMEs in the UK have experienced some type of cyber attack, with no end in sight. While there’s a lot you can do to safeguard your computer network, there’s no way to be 100% confident you wont fall victim to an attack. To ensure that you’re ready should something go wrong, make sure you have a plan in place. This should look at different scenarios and severity of attacks and offer tangible steps for your business to follow. You should also consider what you would do if your systems went down for an extended period – is there any other way you could operate in the meantime?
Having cyber insurance in place could also provide your business with an extra layer of protection. Not only can it help your business with the financial repercussions of an attack, whether it’s a data breach, ransomware attack or something else, but it can also provide you with a dedicated advice line so you know that you’re doing the right thing each step of the way.
Work with the right people
Not every business has an IT team in place, or dedicated PR people to deal with an attack. When it comes to protecting your business, it helps to have access to other businesses that you can rely on.
The cyber specialists at Hine can help you to protect your business against the aftermath of a cyber attack with a specialist cyber insurance policy. When you work with our dedicated team, you can be assured that you’re in good hands. If you want to know more about better protecting your business against cybercrime, just get in touch on 0161 438 0000 or email [email protected].
