Each October, National Cyber Security Awareness Month helps bring attention to the danger of cyber threats and the importance of staying safe online—both at home and in the office.
Since the honorary month began in 2003, worldwide internet use has grown from around 700 million users to more than 3.5 billion today.1 Predictably, not all of those users have the best interests in mind for you or your business. So no matter the size or scope of your company, if you use a computer, you’re vulnerable to online criminals. In fact, by 2019 the cost of cybercrime to businesses worldwide is expected to top $2.1 trillion.2
And while technology security and cyber coverage are certainly key elements to protecting your business against unwanted online intruders, if you and your employees follow a few simple preventative measures, you can make life a little harder for cybercriminals.
1. Set computer rules.
Have clear rules for your employees about what software, programs and websites can be accessed using their work computers. And be sure to enforce these rules. Unknown outside programs or websites can make your network, no matter how big or small, vulnerable to an attack.
2. Protect that password.
Make sure your employees have strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long. Use phrases that are easy to remember. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, and always use separate passwords for personal accounts as opposed to business accounts. Don’t make a cybercriminal’s job any easier than it needs to be.
The more critical an account or area of operation, the stronger a password should be. Write down all your passwords and keep them in a safe place, removed from your computer. Consider two-step authentication as another way to secure your account.
3. Be a critical reader.
Your employees should know not to open links, emails or attachments that seem suspicious in any way. Employees should also be familiar with how spam filters work and how they can protect you from unwanted harmful emails.
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4. Hit the save button.
Set your computers to automatically back up work as often as possible. Also make sure your employees are aware of when and how often they need to protect their work.
5. Speak up.
Make sure your employees know that whenever they see something on their computer that seems suspicious they need to contact whoever is responsible for security. Company-wide awareness can help your other employees avoid inadvertently exposing your data.3
Whatever steps you’ve planned for your business to protect it against cybercrime, make sure your employees are aware and following the plan on a regular basis.
And should a data breach occur, make sure your business is protected by cyber insurance coverage. Speak with an independent insurance agent to determine the right coverage for your business. Your agent will review your exposure, different coverage options and make the best policy recommendation for you.
This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. Implementing one or more of these suggestions does not guarantee coverage. If any policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. Please contact a local, independent Grange agent for complete details on Grange’s business insurance coverages and discounts, including Business Cyber coverage.
1 – InternetWorldStats.com
2 – Forbes
3 – StaySafeOnline.org