Advances in technology and internet capabilities have allowed businesses of all sizes and locations to grow and expand in ways that were previously unimaginable, especially in the last two years. Business operations are no longer confined to the four walls of a traditional office, and employees can work virtually anywhere, whether it’s from the comforts of their own homes or out on the road. We’re now seeing a number of global businesses allowing employees to work remotely.
The freedom that comes with the expansion in IT also comes with a few downfalls. Cyber threats are now one of the greatest risks that most companies face, regardless of how much of their workforce is remote or in the office. Any check of the headlines will reveal how many companies are vulnerable to a cyberattack.
Because of the prevalence of cyber security threats, it’s more important than ever for your company to make sure you’re protecting your network and employees from outside attacks. That’s why we wanted to share some cyber security tips for workplaces.
Our Top Five Cyber Security Tips
1) Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
One of the best cyber security email tips we have is to use strong passwords — and update them regularly — and require multi-factor authentication when logging in. Multi-factor authentication is a method that only allows users to access email and other website applications once they’ve given two or more pieces of evidence to authenticate their identities and permissions. A strong password is the first line of defense for keeping hackers at bay, and when you add two-factor authentication, it enforces that line of defense. To make sure all your employees are following this tip, make it a workplace rule that you enforce.
2) Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails and Links
Another crucial cyber security email tip is to never open suspicious emails or click on links from unknown senders. If the email looks questionable, it might be a phishing scam. Phishing scams appear to be from a well-known and trusted company, and they get users to open messages and provide personal information. That information is then used by the scammer to open accounts with the information provided. Check links before clicking them, too. Most browsers allow you to preview the link by hovering the mouse over it. This lets you make sure the link is going to where it claims to be.
3) Use a VPN
When it comes to cyber security tips for users, nothing beats having a VPN, or a virtual private network. A VPN is a software system your employees must log in to before they can access the internet. It creates a private shared network using the internet so that it can be accessed by employees working from home. It allows users of the VPN to send and receive data and other sensitive information to one another as if they were directly connected to the same in-person network. All the information that’s transmitted while users are logged into the VPN is encrypted so securely that not even your internet provider can view what’s being sent and received.
4) Use Antivirus Software
Install antivirus, malware, and spyware software on all your employees’ computers, and make sure it is updated regularly. Software companies update their software to adapt to the ever-changing cyber landscape, so it’s important that all your antivirus, malware, and spyware software is current so that a new threat doesn’t slip through the cracks.
5) Train Your Employees
The most important thing you can do is adequately and thoroughly train your employees. None of your other safety measures will work if your employees don’t understand the importance of cyber security threats and how to prevent them. Make training part of the onboarding process, and do a quarterly or bi-quarterly review. You can also create a book of cyber security tips available both online and as a hard copy, with sections for cyber security email tips, cyber security tips for users, and so on, so that workers can easily access information for a specific question.
Advances in technology are necessary to keep up with the ever-evolving world that we live in, but with those advances come more cyber security threats. While we can’t prevent 100% of threats from using the internet, you can mitigate most of the attacks on your business by employing our cyber security tips for the workplace. To learn more about cyber security and how Sissine’s Office Systems can help your company, contact us today!