No business is too small to fall victim to a cyber security attack, so even if you only run a startup with a few employees, it’s essential to be proactive about your IT. A data breach could otherwise cause downtime which would have a negative impact on both your profits and your reputation. Fortunately, if you’re organized there are a few things you can do to protect your business. It’s also worth outsourcing IT services to ensure you get access to the latest in security technology. Here are a few ways you can be proactive about your IT. 

 

Outsource your IT services

 

Consider outsourcing your IT to a managed service provider such as Pointivity MSP. They will have the necessary resources to monitor and protect your data, network, and systems. A managed service provider will offer various services such as encrypted cloud hosting, disaster recovery, and data backup. They will also closely monitor your systems to intercept threats and reduce risks by looking for areas of improvement in your cyber security.  

 

Train your staff

 

Often security breaches are due to human error so it’s essential to train your staff in IT best practices. This includes educating them about different types of cyber attacks such as phishing campaigns and ransomware. It’s also important to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication and to ensure they protect their own devices. A training session like this will be a good way to reconnect your team especially if they’re working remotely. You can ensure they follow best practices even while working from home.

 

Update your software

 

Software updates occur for a reason so never ignore these notifications. The reason software updates itself is because it’s constantly looking for areas for improvement and adapting to new tricks in cyber crime. Keep your software up to date and ensure it’s compatible with the latest in cyber security to ensure your data and systems are protected.

 

Upgrade your tech

 

You could also consider upgrading some of your hardware. It’s a good idea to conduct a technology assessment to help you figure out which tech it’s worth investing in. You can also speak to an IT consultancy firm about this. They will be able to help you with hardware procurement, installation, and onboarding. Newer models will be more efficient and compatible with the latest software and operating systems, so it’s worth thinking about an upgrade.

 

Control access

Control access to sensitive information and set up multi-factor authentication. If employees don’t need access to certain data then there’s no need to grant them this. You should also have a system in place for what to do when a member of staff leaves. Ensure they no longer have access to company data from remote devices. This will prevent it from getting into the wrong hands. You could also create guidelines about IT best practices to give to new staff during onboarding. By being proactive from the start, you can encourage others to the same and make sure you protect your business.