Any well-meaning business shouldn’t take cybersecurity lightly. For sure, the threats to corporate data are becoming even more complicated for enterprises to handle. Corporate espionage, sabotage, and data theft are just some of the most critical threats that enterprises across all industries should worry about.
So what do startups need to know when it comes to securing their data from serious cyber threats?
If anything, businesses of all sizes shouldn’t rely on gut feeling when it comes to critical decisions related to cybersecurity. You have to make sure that you’re fully informed.
This guide will give you a short yet essential overview of what you need to do when you’re looking to add an extra layer of protection to the IT infrastructure of your business.
It’s not about the budget
The threats to data security are becoming increasingly more difficult to manage. This explains why organizations are increasing their budgets in a bid to upgrade their current infrastructure or acquire new security assets and features.
But to say that improving cybersecurity is a matter of having a lot to spend is a misconception. There are many cost-effective ways to improve cybersecurity, such as automatic patching and having a strong corporate culture that values security as an important element of success.
Although upgraded firewalls and virus scanners can give you an advantage, using basic defenses should be enough, so long as you upgrade these defenses every chance you get.
Educating your staff
On the point of cost-effective cybersecurity, your organization is best protected when every member is making sure that information doesn’t leak out and compromise your operations.
For that, your staff has to receive adequate training when it comes to handling critical data. A big part of cybersecurity is making everyone realize that they have a special role to play. For a start, the IT department has to undergo training on data security and maintenance. Updating current skills is important so they’re better equipped for whatever new threats may come your way.
Along with new skills, your organization should also draft policies that cover a range of topics, from securing passwords and login data to restricting file access to a select few. These safeguards should help add another layer of security to critical data. No doubt, workplace practice makes perfect!
Regulatory standards and compliance
Recent government policies are placing more emphasis on data security. For sure, hackers have become more refined in their craft, and it’s no secret that organizational security is tied to national security. Regulatory standards are already in place, and government contractors have no choice but to comply.
For sure, businesses that deal directly with the US Department of Defense are required to secure a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification or CMMC before they can take part in bidding and procurement processes.
Other compliance standards such as Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA are also crucial to ensure that enterprises are applying best practices in data governance and decision-making and avoiding critical mistakes. As a decision-maker in your organization, it is important that you have a clear understanding of what cybersecurity entails.
For sure, a small breach can lead to significant losses on your part, so stay vigilant of your security requirements and seal any gaps that appear as soon as they’re discovered.