1) Secure passwords
This one will make or break your business. You can start by making sure every employee uses strong, unique passwords (more on this below). If an employee’s password has been compromised, you can use two-factor authentication (2FA) to authenticate them before logging in. Two-step authentication requires the user to enter their own biometric data. The 2FA code is sent off via text message or device, either over SMS — e.g. “Your password is…” for Apple Phone’s iPhone or Android phone’s contacts app — or through another means including email.
2) Protect laptops with antivirus software
One common point of attack is that hackers may access a laptop through an unprotected USB port. Some laptops come pre-installed with anti-virus protection which includes spyware detection, firewall installation, system updates, etc. Even if an attacker doesn’t get past the first layer of protection then malware infecting the computer will continue to proliferate until they shut down the operating system temporarily. So to protect the operation of your PC, download antivirus protection software through your internet browser. Not only is these free but will also work as long as your network and Internet connection is protected. It’s a smart move!
3) Use firewalls
As was mentioned above many remote workers may not have desktop computers at home and those who do still use the public Wi-Fi they access. These people are at risk of being exposed to unauthorized traffic — including phishing — so make sure to set up and enforce a VPN, especially as you begin working from an office or other remote location. Make sure to check out our article on how to setup and use a Virtual Private Network if you haven’t made one yourself. Also don’t forget about setting up a Strong Defense ID policy. Once again, this protects your IP address and prevents unwanted cyber attacks.
4) Backups to critical files
Any file of any size should have backups stored so you are able to recover from accidental loss and hard disk failure. On top of backup software, backup hardware devices like external drives can ensure you never lose irreplaceable information. Additionally consider buying enterprise-level storage instead of cloud services since many are managed centrally. Don’t worry, though, you can still maintain your old systems in case anything goes wrong with your current operating system. Just be mindful of potential breaches and un-patched firmware.
5) Get professional IT advice
Before signing up for service providers, try and find someone who is experienced in your line of work (health care, financial service, law firms, insurance firms, etc.) or consult us for an overview. You could save money in the future by asking questions like what would happen if my employer went out of town, what happens if my bank stopped backing me, what impact would this have on my accounts, and how do I avoid scams. By talking with pros, you can mitigate potential risks from outside sources and save time/money in later years.