flevyblog

Flevy Blog is an online business magazine covering Business Strategies, Business Theories, & Business Stories.
MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP STRATEGY, MARKETING, SALES OPERATIONS & SUPPLY CHAIN ORGANIZATION & CHANGE IT/MIS Other

How to Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Digital Transformation Strategy (145-slide PowerPoint presentation). Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations across most industries, as the role of technology shifts from being a business enabler to a business driver. This has only been accelerated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Thus, to remain competitive and outcompete in today's fast paced, [read more]

Also, if you are interested in becoming an expert on Digital Transformation, take a look at Flevy's Digital Transformation Frameworks offering here. This is a curated collection of best practice frameworks based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. By learning and applying these concepts, you can you stay ahead of the curve. Full details here.

* * * *

When COVID-19 was running rampant, millions of workers stayed away from the office and got their work done from home. This helped mitigate the spread of the disease, but also led to more and more companies adopting cloud-based and digital solutions for their operations. With so much data being stored online and on servers, security is absolutely paramount. However, it can be hard to know where to start. You might think that having passwords for all of your applications and devices is enough, but the fact is that more is needed. Here are some tips to properly protect your business from cyber threats. 

Encryption

Encrypting data when it is sent out or comes in will help keep it safe from data thieves. Essentially, encryption takes data and translates it into a code that cannot be easily cracked or deciphered. Only those with permission can access that data after it’s encrypted. 

Your entire network should be encrypted so that you can send and receive data under protection and without fear. If you have people working remotely, you can have a virtual private network (VPN) installed on their devices which will encrypt data even when the user is not on-site and using the company network. 

XDR Security

XDR stands for extended detection and response. XDR security technology lightens your team’s workload through automating the process of mitigating, detecting, and recording incidents– greatly improving response times and security workflows. It can be managed remotely, and will find malware and malicious code even if it is very well-hidden. With XDR, you can be covered at every access point in your network so that nothing malicious and unwanted is allowed to get through. 

Two-Step Authentication

Most businesses require their employees to have passwords for certain programs and cloud-based applications that they use for work processes. However, using passwords can be dangerous. Many hackers are able to employ password “guessing” software or other techniques to steal passwords and access data that you don’t want them to access. 

Two-step, or multi-factor, authorization is a way to prevent this. It requires more than just the step of entering a password. You must also follow through with another form of verification. It may be entering a code that is tested directly to your phone, for example. This extra level of security makes it hard for criminals to access your data without stealing your phone or whatever device you need to pass verification. 

Anti-Malware Protection

There seem to be public alerts and PSA’s released every day about phishing scams. The reason that these scams continue to be perpetrated is that they work. There are people who open up emails from senders they’ve never heard of and end up downloading malicious software onto their computers. This can end up not just “infecting” other people, but also damaging devices and causing data loss. Any one of your employees can make a mistake that will lead to these tragic consequences. By installing anti-malware software, you can prevent phishing attacks from being harmful, even if someone makes a mistake and clicks on an infected attachment. 

Have Policies in Place for Data and Device Handling

Cyber security is a team effort. If there are people on your team that don’t understand their responsibilities, then you are going to have problems. You need documented policies in place to govern how your employees handle sensitive information and their devices. These policies must include guidance on storage, transportation of devices outside of the office, and safe internet usage. Never leave it to chance that your staff will already know what to do. Make sure that they have the training and information they need to be smart with their choices when it comes to data protection. 

Regular Backups

You can, and should, take all of the necessary precautions to prevent data theft and breaches. However, they could still happen. If they do, you may lose access to your information and your business could be crippled until your IT specialists figure out solutions to recoup that data. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that they are never able to. 

However, if you back up your data on a regular basis, then any breaches or failures will only be short-term. Your data will be ready to go and you can be back up and running in no time. Backing up can be very simple. There are many cloud solutions that will handle backups automatically for you. You should still check on a regular basis to make sure that everything is backing up properly, however. You can also use an external solution such as a USB stick or a hard drive. These should be password protected and be kept somewhere secure off site. That way if there is a floor or a fire you will not lose all of your backed up data. 

Protect Your Devices

Many devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, offer additional security. This can mean fingerprint and pattern authentication, face recognition, and PINs instead of passwords. Make sure that your devices have all security options enabled, and that the software is always up to date. This will ensure that any security patches are installed and protecting your device. 

You can leverage services such as Scythe.io to assess your vulnerabilities and increase your security team’s effectiveness.

Don’t take chances with your business! A data loss or a breach can be devastating. Take these steps to make sure that your business is protected from cyber threats.

87-slide PowerPoint presentation
Securing the Path to Digital Transformation In today's hyperconnected landscape, digital transformation stands as the linchpin of strategic success for organizations striving to maintain competitiveness and operational excellence. The advent of cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, [read more]

Want to Achieve Excellence in Digital Transformation?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Digital Transformation. Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations of all sizes across most industries. In the Digital Age today, technology creates new opportunities and fundamentally transforms businesses in all aspects—operations, business models, strategies. It not only enables the business, but also drives its growth and can be a source of Competitive Advantage.

For many industries, COVID-19 has accelerated the timeline for Digital Transformation Programs by multiple years. Digital Transformation has become a necessity. Now, to survive in the Low Touch Economy—characterized by social distancing and a minimization of in-person activities—organizations must go digital. This includes offering digital solutions for both employees (e.g. Remote Work, Virtual Teams, Enterprise Cloud, etc.) and customers (e.g. E-commerce, Social Media, Mobile Apps, etc.).

Learn about our Digital Transformation Best Practice Frameworks here.

Readers of This Article Are Interested in These Resources


18-page Word document
This Word Document provides a template for an IT Security & Governance Policy and is easily customisable. Areas cover are: Security, Data Back-Up, Virus Protection, Internet & Email usage, Remote & 3rd Party Network Access, User-Account Management, Procurement, Asset Management and IS Service [read more]


 
Excel workbook
 
 
23-slide PowerPoint presentation

About Shane Avron

Shane Avron is a freelance writer, specializing in business, general management, enterprise software, and digital technologies. In addition to Flevy, Shane's articles have appeared in Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine, among other business journals.


Complimentary Business Training Guides


Many companies develop robust strategies, but struggle with operationalizing their strategies into implementable steps. This presentation from flevy introduces 12 powerful business frameworks spanning both Strategy Development and Strategy Execution. [Learn more]

  This 48-page whitepaper, authored by consultancy Envisioning, provides the frameworks, tools, and insights needed to manage serious Change—under the backdrop of the business lifecycle. These lifecycle stages are each marked by distinct attributes, challenges, and behaviors. [Learn more]

We've developed a very comprehensive collection of Strategy & Transformation PowerPoint templates for you to use in your own business presentations, spanning topics from Growth Strategy to Brand Development to Innovation to Customer Experience to Strategic Management. [Learn more]

  We have compiled a collection of 10 Lean Six Sigma templates (Excel) and Operational Excellence guides (PowerPoint) by a multitude of LSS experts. These tools cover topics including 8 Disciplines (8D), 5 Why's, 7 Wastes, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and DMAIC. [Learn more]
Recent Articles by Corporate Function

  

  

  

  

  

The Flevy Business Blog (https://flevy.com/blog) is a leading source of information on business strategies, business theories, and business stories. Most of our articles are authored by management consultants and industry executives with over 20 years of experience.

Flevy (https://flevy.com) is the marketplace for business best practices, such as management frameworks, presentation templates, and financial models. Our best practice documents are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier consulting firms (like McKinsey, Bain, Accenture, BCG, and Deloitte) and used by Fortune 100 organizations. Learn more about Flevy here.
  


OUR CORE OFFERINGS
Flevy Marketplace: Top 100
· Strategy & Transformation
· Digital Transformation
· Operational Excellence
· Organization & Change
· Financial Models
· Consulting Frameworks
· PowerPoint Templates
FlevyPro (Subscription Service)
KPI Library
Streams (Functional Bundles)
Flevy Executive Learning (FEL)
PowerPoint Services

FREE Resources

About Flevy
Management Topics
Marcus (AI-Powered Consultant)
Partner Program
LinkedIn Influencer Marketing
FAQ / Terms / Privacy / Blog
Contact Us: support@flevy.com



CONNECT WITH US!
       
TOP 100 TRENDING TOPICS
Acquisition Strategy
Agile
Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Balanced Scorecard
Best Practices
Big Data
Breakout Strategy
Business Continuity Planning
Business Plan Financial Model
Business Transformation
CMMI
COBIT
Change Management
Cloud
Communications Strategy
Company Financial Model
Competitive Advantage
Competitive Analysis
Consulting Frameworks
Continuous Improvement
Core Competencies
Corporate Culture
Cost Reduction Assessment
Customer Experience

BROWSE BY FUNCTION
Strategy, Transformation, & Innovation
Digital Transformation
Operational Excellence and LSS
Organization, Change, & HR
Management Consulting

Customer Journey
Customer Service
Cyber Security
Data Privacy
Decision Making
Digital Marketing Strategy
Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation Strategy
Due Diligence
ESG
Employee Engagement
Employee Training
Enterprise Architecture
Growth Strategy
HR Strategy
Hiring
Hoshin Kanri
ISO 27001
ITIL
Information Technology
Innovation Management
Integrated Financial Model
Kaizen
Kanban
Key Performance Indicators

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Business Strategy Frameworks
Case Studies
Consulting Training Guides
COVID-19 Trend Data
Digital Transformation
Financial Advising Services (FAS)

Knowledge Management
Leadership
Lean
Lean Manufacturing
Logistics
M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Manufacturing
Market Research
Marketing Plan Development
Maturity Model
McKinsey PowerPoint
McKinsey Templates
Operational Excellence
Organizational Change
Organizational Design
Performance Management
Post-merger Integration
Pricing Strategy
Process Improvement
Process Maps
Procurement Strategy
Product Launch Strategy
Product Strategy
Project Management
Quality Management


Free Resources
KPI Library
Lean Management
Lean Six Sigma Training Guides
Marcus Insights
Operational Excellence

Real Estate
Remote Work
Restructuring
Risk Management
Robotic Process Automation
SWOT
SaaS
Sales
Scrum
Service Design
Six Sigma Project
Social Media Strategy
Strategic Planning
Strategic Thinking
Strategy Development
Supply Chain Analysis
Sustainability
Target Operating Model
Team Management
Total Productive Maintenance
Value Chain Analysis
Value Creation
Value Stream Mapping
Visual Workplace
Workplace Safety


Product Strategy
Small Business Owner
Startup Resources
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning Process
Value Innovation Strategy


© 2012-2024 Copyright. Flevy LLC. All Rights Reserved.