As Cybersecurity Awareness Month kicks off, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how well-protected your business is from cyber threats. Securing your business may sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. For SMBs in California, taking simple, proactive steps can mean the difference between business continuity and significant disruption. With a few straightforward actions, you can make a big impact in safeguarding your data and the trust your customers place in you.
By following these four simple ways to elevate your security efforts, you’ll not only strengthen your defenses, but also provide peace of mind for your business and those who rely on you.
1. Level Up Your Anti-Phishing Techniques.
Phishing is one of the most common cyber threats businesses face today, and it’s only getting harder to detect. Whether it’s a cleverly disguised email, a text message that looks like it’s from a familiar vendor, or even a voice call, phishing attacks can come in many forms. It’s crucial to train your team regularly on how to spot and report phishing attempts.
Phishing can take many forms, but here are three common types to watch out for:
- Email Phishing: The classic approach where attackers send emails posing as legitimate organizations, often creating a sense of urgency to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Look out for: Unexpected requests for personal information (including password resets you haven’t requested), suspicious attachments, or links that don’t match the supposed sender’s domain.
- Spear Phishing: A more targeted form of phishing that uses personalized information to appear more credible. Look out for: Emails that seem to know a lot about you or your company but still have subtle inconsistencies in tone or request unusual actions.
- Smishing: Phishing attempts via SMS or text messages. Look out for: Unexpected texts from unknown numbers asking you to click on links or provide information, often posing as banks or delivery services.
To keep your team sharp, consider setting up regular phishing simulations. These controlled exercises can help employees recognize real-world threats and reinforce the importance of reporting suspicious activities promptly.
2. Power Up Your Passwords.
Can you guess the most common password in the world? If “password” came to mind, you’re right on the money. It’s an alarmingly common choice, and it’s not the only bad habit in when it comes to credentials; a staggering 62% of people reuse passwords across multiple accounts!
Yes, it’s easier to remember some variation of ‘yourpet’sname123!’ than set up a unique password each tine, but the former’s essentially the equivalent of handing cybercriminals a skeleton key to your digital lives. When you reuse passwords, if a hacker guesses that one set of login credentials, they potentially gain access to a treasure trove of contacts, data, and confidential information.
Creating strong, unique passwords is one of the most effective ways to protect your business. When setting up or updating your passwords:
- Avoid common words: Stay away from easily guessable words like “password,” “admin,” or your business name
- Make it long: Aim for at least 12 characters. A long phrase is often more secure and easier to remember than a short, complex string of characters
- Regularly update passwords: especially for critical accounts
- Don’t reuse passwords: Every account should have a unique password. Yes, every single one. This limits the damage if one account is compromised
- Use a password manager: Password managers can help you generate and store strong passwords, so you don’t have to remember them all
When the fix is such an easy one, why give hackers the upper hand?
3. Layer Up Your Defenses with MFA.
While strong passwords are essential, they’re not foolproof. Adding another layer of security with multifactor authentication (MFA) is a smart way to safeguard your business. MFA requires users to verify their identity through multiple methods—usually something they know (like a password), something they have (like a phone), or something they are (like a fingerprint).
Yes, MFA adds a few extra steps to the login process, but those few extra seconds spent confirming your identity could save you hours of downtime, weeks of recovery efforts, and untold damage to your reputation in the event of a breach.
How does MFA protects your business? Well…
- Even if an attacker manages to guess or steal your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor
- MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive systems, even if credentials are compromised through phishing or a data breach
- Many MFA methods, like using an authenticator app or receiving a one-time passcode via text message, are quick and easy to set up
Think of it this way: Would you rather spend a few extra seconds logging in or face the lengthy, costly aftermath of a cyber-attack? A little friction in the user experience can go a long way in preventing major security breaches. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Start with your most critical accounts—email, financial services, and primary business applications. Many platforms now offer built-in MFA options, making it easier than ever to add this extra layer of protection.
4. Stay Up to Date on Software Patches.
On the subject of things that only take a few seconds, dismissing those ‘install updates now’ reminders the instant they pop up can be tempting—but it’s a habit you need to break. Only one-third of people always install updates when they become available. The other two-thirds are creating a significant vulnerability that cybercriminals are all too happy to exploit; software updates often include patches for newly discovered security flaws, so by delaying them, you’re essentially leaving your digital front door unlocked.
Staying current with your software updates is crucial for a few reasons, not limited to:
- Security Patches: Updates often fix vulnerabilities that hackers could otherwise exploit
- Bug Fixes: These improvements can prevent crashes and data loss, which could otherwise leave you exposed
- New Security Features: Updates sometimes introduce new security measures to protect against evolving threats
- Compatibility: Keeping your software updated ensures it works smoothly with other up-to-date systems and security measures
To make this process easier, enable automatic updates wherever possible. For systems where manual updates are necessary, schedule regular maintenance windows to ensure you’re always running the latest, most secure versions of your software.
Secure Your World & Everyone in It.
Here’s some food for thought: when you slack on cybersecurity, you’re not just putting your own business at risk—you’re potentially exposing everyone who trusts you with their data. Your customers, partners, and employees all rely on you to keep their information safe. By elevating your cybersecurity efforts, you’re not just protecting your business; you’re safeguarding an entire ecosystem of relationships and trust.
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we challenge you to take these four simple yet effective steps to heart. Recognize and report phishing attempts, strengthen your passwords, embrace multifactor authentication, and stay on top of those software updates. These straightforward actions can dramatically improve your security posture and contribute to a safer digital world for all of us.
Techital: Exceptional Technology, Powered by Truly Personal Service.
At Techital, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our people-first approach means we’re not just here to implement technology—we’re here to empower you and your team to use it safely and effectively. Together, we can build a more secure digital future, one simple step at a time.
Let’s make this Cybersecurity Awareness Month the starting point for a year-round commitment to better security practices. After all, in the interconnected world we live in, your security is our security. Let’s protect it together. Get in touch today to discuss cybersecurity solutions for your business.
