In 2020, over 155.8 million individuals were affected by data exposures (Statista). It was one of the worst recorded years of data breaches, as the pandemic exposed gaps in the cybersecurity space. Remote workers and small businesses were particularly affected, as they’re the most vulnerable to an attack. In this article, we’ll discuss a few cybersecurity tips for small businesses in 2021.

What cybersecurity measures can I take in 2021 to ensure my small business stays safe? 

Set up two-factor authentication

Weak passwords are arguably one of the biggest reasons a cyber attack occurs. If your password is weak, it’s easier for a hacker to predict the credentials and increases your chances of a data breach. Two-factor authentication is a process that includes dual layer protection. It might ask the user to provide additional credentials or answer a few questions while logging in, which makes it more difficult for the hacker to access the accounts. 

Educate your employees

Unless you’re working in an IT department, cybersecurity measures aren’t usually top of mind. That’s why it’s important to communicate security measures with your team, whether that’s facilitated by an onboarding training program or regular email updates. Make sure the resources you’re utilizing are simplified and easy for the employee to understand. Lucky for you, we recently rounded up our top cybersecurity training tools so you can get a headstart. 

Enable private and secure connections

When working on a public network, your information is at higher risk for being accessed. For example, maybe you’ve gone to a Starbucks and used their public WiFi to work for the day. Working on that public network means that anyone nearby can access your data. To help mitigate this risk, your small business should set up a user-friendly VPN to avoid potential malware or viruses. This provides an added layer of encryption, making it more difficult for hackers to access your data.

Routine audits

Setting up a secure network is not the end all be all to protecting data. Routine security checks should be deployed, as it will highlight any gaps or exposures in your tech stack. This will also provide peace of mind, knowing you’re staying proactive in preventing attacks. 

Utilize the cloud 

Cloud-based storage is a much more reliable way to store and access data. Having a host server location means that your data won’t be backed up should a breach occur. Having data stored on the cloud will decrease the amount of down time in the event of an attack. 

If you’re looking for someone to keep your small business safe in 2021, Thinline Technologies can help! We offer a variety of IT solutions including cloud solutions, business continuity, managed service provider services, and more.

We hope you enjoyed these cybersecurity tips for small businesses! Visit our services page for more information, and contact us today.