Workplace Safety in the Digital Age

As online attacks are getting more pervasive in the hyperconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity remains a top challenge for organizations in 2022. 

According to recent statistics, 68% of business leaders believe their cybersecurity risks are increasing.

However, are corporations proactive enough when it comes to protecting their digital assets? Statistics show that they are not. Namely, Tech.co recently spoke with large, medium, and small businesses about their cybersecurity measures. They found that less than half of US corporations are investing in online data security.

Cybersecurity issues can harm your company on multiple fronts, including financial, reputational, and legal. 

In other words, your company’s most valuable assets should not be the most vulnerable.

That is why you need to increase digital security in the workplace. 

Here are a few tried and tested techniques that may help you.

Workplace Cybersecurity Basics

Most companies fail to meet the basic cybersecurity standards that make them vulnerable to cybercrime. Here are a few fundamental data safety steps you should take ASAP:

Create Strong Passwords

Generic, easy-to-crack passwords are one of the most common security loopholes in your organization. Hackers do not waste time trying out different password combinations until they find one right. Instead, they use sophisticated machines that unveil different password combinations in seconds. That is why you should teach your employees not to use personal details in their passwords, such as their names, important dates, etc. Also, generic passwords, such as “123456” or “password” should be avoided. 

Create strong passwords that consist of randomly selected combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, teach your employees about the importance of having different passwords for every platform and tool they use.

If your employees find it difficult to memorize plenty of passwords, you can provide them with a credible password management tool.

Use a Firewall

Your company has probably already invested in some sort of antivirus software but does it include a proactive firewall? Firewalls are a critical part of your data security measures since they restrict unauthorized access to your company’s devices. A firewall recognizes any suspicious activity and immediately notifies you. 

Set Up Multi-factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security to your corporate network. Through it, your employees, customers, and other stakeholders prove that they are who they claim they are. That means that, when someone tries to access your devices or tools, they first get a security code they need to use to log in. It stops criminals from breaching into your system even if they crack your employees’ passwords. 

Secure your Website

Building trust with your potential customers is critical to business success. Unsurprisingly, website security plays an important role in the process. While creating a website is now easier than ever, protecting it from sophisticated cyberattacks still represents a major challenge for the majority of corporate users.

Here are a few website security steps that may serve as your solid starting point:

Install Security Certificates

Website security measures start with getting an SSL certificate. Through data encryption and authentication, a Secure Socket Layer certificate ensures that the connection between your website and users’ browsers is secure. 

Additionally, Google does not approve websites without SSL certificates and marks them as “not secure”. That may significantly impact the overall user experience and harm your brand’s reputation. On the other hand, sites with HTTPS are labeled as “secure” and even receive a minor ranking boost from Google.

Keep your Website Updated

To strengthen website security, make sure all website plugins and security tools are up-to-date. Outdated applications may make your website exposed to hackers, creating safety loopholes that enhance its overall vulnerability. And, any experienced hacker would recognize such security flaws right away.

Avoid blackhat method These methods are unethical tactics that don't solve for the searcher and often end in a penalty from search engines. To strengthen website ranking, you should use the right SEO services, which will lead to a safe and better ranking of your page.

Perform Regular Website Backups

In addition to investing in the right antimalware and SSL solutions, do not neglect the value of website backups. Regular backups ensure faster website recovery and minimize downtime in case you become a victim of a hack.

Now, there are different types of backup methods, including:

Invest in Cybersecurity Awareness Training for your Employees

The human factor is the weakest link when it comes to the vulnerability of your corporate data in the digital landscape. It typically results from a lack of data security awareness and employee negligence. Inappropriate data access and management often result in data breaches. That is why employee training is critical to enhancing your company’s security. 

It includes a wide range of steps, including:

Provide yearly cybersecurity awareness training and make sure everyone is enrolled, irrespective of their title or responsibilities.

Wrapping Up

Cybersecurity threats are evolving at an alarming rate, showing no signs of slowing down. Therefore, investing in an antivirus solution and hoping that your company is not on hackers’ radars is not enough. You need to take immediate steps to protect your sensitive information in the digital ecosystem. 

Start by implementing the basic cybersecurity tips provided above, such as putting up a firewall or encouraging workers to create stronger passwords.

Next, protect your website to ensure the utmost corporate and customer data protection. That involves investing in an SSL certificate, website backups, and regular software updates. 

Finally, educate your employees to raise their awareness of the most common online security issues and their prevention.