Tips to improve your company’s security

Through the last 30 or so years, computers, the internet, and technology have completely transformed the modern business landscape to the point that, these days, it’s almost impossible to think of a single company that doesn’t rely on tech to at least some degree. From simple emails for company communications right up to the big e-commerce multinationals, pretty much all firms have data interwoven into their processes.

The value of data

Industry experts suggest data is now the world’s most valuable commodity – becoming worth more than even traditional heavyweights like oil and gold. However, as the value and importance of data have increased, so have the risks posed by cybercriminals. Indeed, the costs of cybercrime are expected to tally $6.5 trillion in 2021 – with that figure increasing by 15% each year through to 2025, when online crime is predicted to cost $10.5 trillion globally.

Sensible steps to increase data protection in your company

With cybercrime now considered the single greatest threat facing companies today, below are some sensible steps you could take to improve your firm’s IT security:

Invest in IT security

No matter what size of company you run, if you operate in any way online, you stand in danger of falling victim to a cyberattack. Unfortunately, there is a commonly held belief among many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that their firm is too insignificant or their profits too low to be a target for cybercriminals – resulting in many taking a lax approach to IT security. Actually, quite the opposite is true, and hackers are increasingly turning their attention to smaller firms with inadequate protection, seeing them as a much easier target.

Use the right testing methods 

One of the most common routes hackers use to infiltrate companies is through dodgy software or out-of-date apps. If you are developing software, the last thing you want is for those other businesses that use your software to find there are security issues with it. Bad reputations are hard to bounce back from. You should ensure any software you create has been developed using SAST tools. It will enable you to detect vulnerabilities in proprietary code in the design stage – the easiest point you can resolve issues – and ensures secure coding. By scanning static code and tests costs, detecting flaws before it reaches crucial stages means that you are giving your customers the best software you can and keep a great reputation for being a company that takes security seriously.

Move your digital services to the cloud

There are multiple benefits to using cloud computing for your IT services – not least of which is the added protection you’ll get from being able to rely on cloud professionals to look after your data. Cloud providers put cutting-edge tech in the hands of all firms at an affordable price plus offer unrivaled protection against online attacks. Better yet, should the absolute worst case happen and your firm suffers a security breach, cloud companies will have a backup of your data.

Staff training and awareness

Recent research by Stanford University found that 88% of all cyberattacks are caused by human error. You can spend all the money you want on IT security and antivirus protection but, if your staff isn’t adequately trained and informed on the risks posed by internet criminals and their common tactics, you will remain at considerable risk. Two of the biggest (and most common) current types of attack are phishing and ransomware – both of which target human weakness and error. For the best protection, you should ensure your staff is educated regularly on past, present, and emerging dangers.

 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and the author’s views here do not necessarily reflect those of the blog owner.