This year has presented many unprecedented challenges. Whether you look at it from a public health, political, or economic standpoint, 2020 has been a game-changing year. However, the pandemic isn’t the only threat that the public, society, and businesses have to fight.
With the world dependent on more and more technology because of remote work and public health precautions, hackers, cyber villains, and criminals have been upping their game. In fact, you may have heard of a ransomware attack in Missouri.
If you haven’t heard of this specific attack, you may have heard of other cybersecurity breaches over the course of this roller coaster year. 2020 has been unsettling, but you want to improve on the lessons of this year.
So, what can you do as a business owner, thought leader, and executive to safeguard your business for the future? Read these precautions businesses should take to protect from ransomware attacks.
Top Safety Precautions Businesses Should Take to Protect from Ransomware Attacks
Employees are the First Round of Defense
Your employees are crucial to your business’ safety. Many times ransomware attacks infiltrate by a link in an email or a pop-up message. While on company email and/or devices, it would be important for employees to know how to identify suspicious emails, links, and pop-ups.
Additionally, train your employees to be cautious about opening attachments, regardless of the sender. If you are concerned about a ransomware attack, train your employees as well as seek out an IT company in Missouri that specializes in protecting your business.
Make Sure there is a Backup and Recovery Plan in Place
Backups are essential to making sure that your business is protected. Your wealth as a business is in your data. First and foremost, set up a scheduled backup. Depending on your business and the amount of data, you should enlist best practices in how frequently you do this. Secondly, make sure that it is stored on a separate or offline device.
Update All Computer Devices
Set up a schedule for anti-malware and antivirus updates for all company devices. Make sure that all devices are automatically scanned. Although scans and updates sometimes come when your employees are in the middle of some other task, all company devices must be protected against cybecriminals.
Limited Permissions to Install on Company Devices
By limiting the ability to install software on devices, you diminish the possibility of malware and ransomware attacks. It may sound too simple to be true, but make sure that only trained employees can download and install on company devices. Perhaps you can override said restrictions through a checklist from your managed IT service provider or in-house IT department.
In light of the malicious ransomware attacks of this year, as a business owner or executive, you must react. Doing nothing is not going to work. You need to be proactive with cybersecurity as well as employee training. As a business, you are only as strong as your weakest link. Do not let an attachment, link, or pop-up be a business hurdle.