Boost Your Small Business Cybersecurity Before The Holiday Shopping Frenzy

The holiday season is a bustling time for small businesses, with increased sales and customer engagement. However, it’s also a prime time for cybercriminals to target businesses of all sizes. As a small business owner, it’s crucial to bolster your cybersecurity measures to protect your data, your customers, and your reputation. 

Here are some essential tips to help you boost your cybersecurity before the shopping frenzy begins.

Update Software And Systems

Ensure all your software is up to date, including operating systems, applications, and security programs. Yes, you may have an application that still works well despite being over 10 years old. Be aware cybercriminals particularly target known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Regular updates and patches can help protect your business from these threats.

If the application is no longer being supported by the vendor and there is no upgrade path to make it current, consider replacing it. At the very least use it offline on a stand-alone machine until a new purchase can be made.

Implement Strong Password Policies

Stipulate that employees change passwords every 30 days using strong, unique passwords for all business accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should also be implemented for added security. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to breach your systems.

Educate Your Employees

Stay informed about security threats and conduct regular training sessions to keep your employees abreast of the latest cyber threats. Your employees are your first line of defence against cyber threats and need to recognise the trending scams, particularly suspicious emails and links. Urge them to report any doubtful incidents immediately, even if they could be legitimate.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Networks

Ensure that your business’s Wi-Fi networks are secure. Use strong passwords and encryption protocols to protect your networks from unauthorised access. Consider setting up a separate network for guests and customers to prevent them from accessing your main business network. Hackers can use guest access to penetrate your environment.

By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly enhance your small business’s cybersecurity and ensure a safe and successful holiday shopping season.

Strong Passwords

With hackers now using AI, strong business passwords should be a minimum of 15 characters with an alphanumeric mix of capitals, numbers and special characters, and not previously used.

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