5 Most Common Cybersecurity Mistakes Businesses Should Look To Avoid

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When it comes to Cybersecurity, most businesses, especially SMEs and MSMEs have been found wanting. While cybercriminals have advanced in terms of their attacks and strategies, businesses have not been able to keep pace with their defense mechanisms.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has seen a high spurt in the number of cyberattacks being committed against businesses. As we continue the shift to a ‘Work From Home Model’, more digital touchpoints continue to expose our vulnerabilities on the internet. 

In this resource article, we are going to look at the five most common cybersecurity mistakes businesses should look to avoid. We will however begin the article by defining cybersecurity and why is it such an important factor in modern business organizations

Cybersecurity: Meaning and Importance

Cybersecurity refers to a policy or strategy to ensure that the business is protected against all forms of digital attacks. Cybercriminals are always looking at ways and means of breaking into data servers, hack customer financial records and extort money from businesses. 

They can do this by hacking into one of the several digital points businesses have and by implanting malware, ransomware, and viruses in the systems. 

As the world continues shifting towards a more digital-based ecosystem, cyberattacks have been on the rise. With data becoming the watchword, businesses need to protect them at all and every cost. 

One successful incident of a cyberattack can result in a business losing financially. It can also result in the closure or shutdown of the business. Not to mention, the kind of loss of credibility and reputation that the business is likely to suffer from. 

List of the 5 Most Common Cybersecurity Mistakes Businesses should look to avoid

Thinking your Business is not the Target- 

Many SMEs and MSMEs think that cybercriminals have nothing to gain by attacking their businesses. This is not the case. Bigger businesses have more security infrastructure in place that makes it difficult for cybercriminals to hack into. Smaller businesses with little or no security measures in place are an easier option. This is why you should not have this thinking. 

Working with a Poor Network Provider- 

A lot depends on what kind of network service provider you are working with. As a business, you are constantly using the internet, phone lines, moving data, and processing payments. Unless you have a network services provider that has a strong and secure firewall in place, your network stands the risk of being infiltrated. Check out https://www.sptel.com/firewall-cyber-security/ 

Ignoring Updates to your Anti-Virus Solutions- 

There is a reason why anti-virus packages ask you to keep updating. They do this because they regularly update their threat and vulnerability database. Any new virus or form of threat that is discovered is added to the database of the anti-virus company and the present solution, the one that is installed in your systems is updated accordingly. This maintains security checks. 

Not Adapting to the Changing Work Models- 

As we have already mentioned, most businesses are trying to experiment with a WFH model. This means that employees are using unsecured public networks. They are also using multiple devices to do office work. This is why businesses should look to dispense with adequate cybersecurity training to make the employees aware of all the dangers. 

Failure to Consider End-to-End Digital Solutions- 

Every business at every point of its existence is connected to the internet. While this can help you improve efficiency and streamline operations, it can also expose you to more points for attacks. This is why experts recommend that businesses should look to secure end-to-end digital touchpoints at all costs. From systems to servers to cloud solutions, everything needs to be covered. 

The Final Word

The threat from cyberattacks is real and tangible. Many businesses do not even know that they have been attacked and their data were stolen. This is the level of ignorance that can cost a business dearly. If you have escaped till now, you should be more careful, as your business might very well be on the next target list. If you have any other questions on how to secure your network solutions, let us know in the comments section below. 

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