6 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Business

[[:encoded, "Making sure your business has systems in place to withstand cyberattacks is one of the most important actions you need to do. As a business owner, you have an obligation to protect your company’s sensitive information, as well as your clients’ information.\n\nThe Equifax data breach of 2017 exposed the personal data of millions of people. As a result, Equifax had to pay $700 million in settlement fees. This is just one of many unfortunate examples. Smaller businesses may be even easier targets, which is why it’s very important to have a solid cybersecurity strategy in place.\n\nIf you’re not sure where to start, let’s review 6 tips to help you increase your company’s cybersecurity to protect your business.\n\n1. Use Secure Passwords and Multi-factor Authentication\n\nNot only should you have a strong password to sign into the various platforms and software that your business uses, it’s also good practice to change those passwords regularly and use multi-factor authentication.\n\nLonger passwords are better—at least 8 characters, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords can be hacked with automated software that tries every possible combination, so the longer your password is, the more combinations it has to try.\n\nMulti-factor authentication is when you need a password and an additional step. It’s also called two-step verification. This reduces the likelihood of a successful attack because there is additional information needed. Typically, this is a code sent to the user’s cell phone, or a code generated by a two-factor authentication (2FA) app such as Authy.\n\nYou can use a password manager to manage the various passwords for your accounts, so you’re not reusing the same one, or having to try and remember all the passwords you have for all your accounts. If one account gets hacked, then any other account using the same password can also more easily get hacked. And whatever you do, avoid using the word “password” as your password at all costs.\n\nThere are