Budding entrepreneurs and small business owners are expected to have a hands-on approach to management. However, some tasks are best assigned to experts. Cybersecurity is one of them. With increasing number of cyberattacks on small businesses, one thing is clear – No organization is entirely safe from hackers. So, how can organizations keep hackers at bay? We have a few tips below that may come in handy.

Engage ethical hackers

From getting your DVR hacked, to testing networks for vulnerabilities, businesses have to be proactive and engage the security community, in the best ways possible. Big companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft have bug bounty programs, where ethical hackers are asked to find bugs, flaws and vulnerabilities, and in return, the company pays them for the job. If you don’t have the expertise for such programs, you can hire firms that can employ ethical hackers on behalf of your business.

Use advanced software

There are apps & software programs meant to detect hacking attempts, malware, spyware, viruses, and other kinds of cybersecurity threats. Make sure that your company uses at least a few to find about possible threats, before a security breach happens. It is also critical for companies to review such software and apps, because you want something that’s designed for small businesses and can be relevant to your organization.

Focus on password management

There are certain password management basics that must be followed by every company, regardless of size and other factors. For example, all default usernames and passwords must be changed immediately. Employees should be encouraged to use a password manager, and they must be trained about common threats, malware attacks, social engineering and how to create strong passwords. A long password with special characters is always hard to hack – Period.

Things that matter

Being proactive and staying a step ahead are the best ways to beat hackers. Make sure that your company has a complete set of protocols, not just for compliance, but also for handling unexpected incidents. Access right management is another aspect to consider, and what also needs attention is how people access company resources. Using network segmentation, firewalls, and testing IT environments on a regular basis are other critical steps.

In conclusion

Check online to find more on recent cyberattacks and try and learn from other organizations. There are also various studies, reports and blogs on recent cyber issues and concerns, which can help in strengthening security.