Small business owners face a mounting threat that is not seen but creates ripples of problems that escalate quickly. Any business that uses the Internet to connect with customers or partners is at risk. 

Hackers are becoming more sophisticated by the day. These unscrupulous criminals often target small business owners because they have issues with cyber security. If your business does not have stellar protection, you could be at risk of data breaches that lead to serious complications. 

Why Is Cybersecurity So Essential?

Remote Work Cybersecurity is critical for all businesses because it protects the sensitive data and personally identifiable information of your business and customers. Cybersecurity also protects the following.

• Personal health information
• Intellectual property
• Industry information systems
• Personal information
• And more

With cyberattacks on the rise, business owners must take action and seek cybersecurity. Failing to address this critical aspect of running a business could result in vulnerabilities and other issues. 

Businesses Are Using Remote Workers More Than Ever

With changing times come changing policies. The way you run your business today has likely changed dramatically over the years. Remote work is now common in almost all industries because it keeps employees safer and saves owners money. 

Remote work is not without its risks. Business owners and employees must identify the cybersecurity risks so they can combat them head on. Keep reading to learn some tips that will assist you in protecting your company’s valuable data. 

Tips for Cybersecurity Practices

Every business must adopt a cybersecurity policy to ensure they protect sensitive company data. The following cybersecurity best practices should help you get started on the process. 

• Keep all software up to date. Hackers can breach systems easily when software applications are out of date because they lack adequate protection offered by patch updates that seek to cover vulnerabilities. Make sure to include this step in your checklist. 
• Some of the cyber security risks of remote working can be mitigated with specific email policies in place. Be leery of opening emails from unknown senders. Hackers often impersonate companies to gain your personal information. These emails are often a part of phishing schemes. When it comes to cybersecurity, you cannot chance opening strange emails.
• Keep all your hardware up to date. When it comes to cybersecurity at home, remote workers often find they are victims of breaches simply because they did not update their hardware. Also, replace any outdated hardware that may no longer be supported by drivers to ensure remote work cybersecurity. 
• Encrypting data when sharing files and information is an essential part of cybersecurity tips for home. Encryption prevents data from being intercepted while it is in transit to the receiver. The files you send are only secure as the protection behind them, so choose a service wisely. 
• Antivirus and Malware protection are absolutely critical for all connected devices, including computers, laptops, smart phones, and tablets. As long as you are connected to the Internet, you are vulnerable, but you can decrease your vulnerability by having strong shields in place. 
• For further protection, our experts highly recommend you use a virtual private network-VPN. This service encrypts your connection and offers a higher level of privacy to protect your communication and data with remote work cybersecurity practices.
• Check all links before you give them a click. Look at the target URL by hovering over the link. Do not fall for hacker attempts to disguise cyber threats as links.
• To avoid cybersecurity risks, you must also avoid laziness with passwords. Using the same password for every account is asking for trouble. If a hacker gains access to your password, they can quickly take over all your accounts and wreak havoc on your business and personal data. Keep your passwords in a safe place, and never share them with anyone. 

Always Disable Bluetooth When Not in Use

Bluetooth allows us to connect remotely to many devices, including speakers, headphones, and more. Unfortunately, Bluetooth can lead to hackers jumping in and wreaking havoc if you leave the connection open. When not in use, make sure to disable Bluetooth right away. Only enable Bluetooth when you plan to use it. 

Scan External Drives Before Using Them for Remote Work Cybersecurity

One of the biggest mistakes people make when working from home is failing to scan their external drives for threats before they use them. External drives can infect internal drives when connected. You do not want to deal with a challenging virus or malware simply because you forgot to scan the drives. Scanning only takes minutes and can save you a lot of hassles by offering information security during work from home. 

Always Avoid Public Networks

While it may seem nice to have public access Wi-Fi, you must be careful when accessing it on your devices. Public Wi-Fi puts you at a great disadvantage regarding security. Anyone with a few minor skills can hack into these networks and access your personal information, including your bank and credit card logins. 

Although it may be tempting to use public networks, avoid them at all costs. If you absolutely must use public networks, make sure to use a VPN at all times. 

Train Your Employees on Remote Work Cybersecurity

As a business owner, you now understand the integral importance of cybersecurity. Every employee has the potential to be a security threat to your company. With proper employee training, you can reduce the threats and protect your company’s personal data against breaches. 

Make sure your employees are well trained in remote working security controls and understand the statistics of dangers. Everyone must be on the same page and follow the same cybersecurity policies to protect sensitive company data from being stolen. 

Although hackers are becoming better at what they do, we are here to help you protect your business, even if you have employees working remotely. Contact us now with any questions you may have. We will be happy to assist you in selecting the right cybersecurity initiative to ensure compliance and a high level of protection.