The end of the year is a busy time for small businesses, but it’s also a prime season for cyber threats. With increased online transactions, data sharing, and online shopping, it’s essential to shore up cybersecurity practices to protect sensitive information. Here’s a guide on how to manage cybersecurity in an end-of-year push:
1. Review and Strengthen Security Policies
Conduct a Security Audit: Review your cybersecurity policies, practices, and systems. Identify any vulnerabilities and ensure all software and systems are up to date with the latest security patches.
Update Employee Policies: Review policies around data handling, remote access, and device usage. Update policies as needed and make sure all employees are informed and trained on security protocols.
2. Increase Awareness of Phishing Scams
End-of-year phishing attacks are common, as hackers often impersonate trusted brands, customers, or vendors in emails. Educate employees to recognize phishing signs, like urgent language, misspelled domains, and unusual attachments.
Holiday-Specific Training: Include holiday-season-specific examples and threats, as cybercriminals often take advantage of seasonal shopping behaviors and increased transaction volume.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all business accounts and internal systems to prevent unauthorized access, even if an employee’s login credentials are compromised.
4. Secure Payment Processing Systems
PCI Compliance: Ensure your payment processing is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to protect cardholder data. If you’re unsure about PCI compliance, consult with your payment processor.
End-to-End Encryption: Use end-to-end encryption for transactions to protect customer payment information from interception. This is particularly important if you see an uptick in online sales.
5. Strengthen Passwords and Access Controls
Require strong, unique passwords for all accounts. Implement a password manager to help employees manage and store passwords securely.
Limit Access Privileges: Review who has access to sensitive information and limit access to only those who need it. End-of-year can be a good time to remove outdated accounts and restrict permissions.
Ensure that all critical business data is backed up to a secure location, either in the cloud or on a secure external server. Schedule regular backups and verify that they are functioning correctly.
Test Restoration: Confirm that your backups can be restored effectively in case of a cyber incident. This ensures you can recover quickly without significant downtime.
7. Monitor for Unusual Activity
Use cybersecurity tools, like a firewall and antivirus software, to monitor for unusual activity, especially during the holiday shopping rush.
Real-Time Alerts: Set up real-time alerts for login attempts from new devices or unusual IP addresses. This can help you catch potential breaches early.
8. Incident Response Plan (IRP)
Review and update your Incident Response Plan to ensure it’s equipped to handle new or heightened risks. An IRP should include steps for containment, notification, and recovery in case of a breach.
By taking these proactive steps, small businesses can better protect their data, customers, and overall operations through the end-of-year rush, minimizing risks and maximizing trust in their cybersecurity practices.
Wright Technology Group is available for a free cyber security audit to ensure that your company is adequately protected from hackers and WTG has the tools to monitor your technology for any unusual behavior.
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