5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Your Business Is Making

Around 83% of businesses see the importance of cybersecurity, but only 43% of companies actually invest in cybersecurity. This leaves many businesses vulnerable to attacks that could have easily been prevented. A good cybersecurity strategy is important because it can help protect your business from data breaches, malware, ransomware, and other online threats.

Here are five cybersecurity mistakes and tips for businesses on how to fix them.

1. Not Implementing MFA Company-Wide

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective cybersecurity tools available, yet many businesses have not implemented it company-wide. In fact, Microsoft found that MFA prevents 99.9% of attacks on your accounts.

You can implement MFA in your company by using a multi-factor authentication (MFA) tool. MFA adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify their identity before being granted access to systems and data.

2. Keeping Outdated Equipment or Unused Devices

Another common cybersecurity mistake businesses make is keeping outdated equipment or unused devices around. While it may seem harmless, attackers can use these devices to gain access to your network.

In the WannaCry ransomware attack of 2017, attackers were able to gain access to thousands of devices by exploiting a vulnerability in Windows XP, an outdated operating system that was no longer supported by Microsoft. 

To prevent this from happening to your business, make sure to update your software and devices regularly and get rid of any outdated equipment or unused devices.

3. Not Investing in Data Backup and Recovery

Data loss can have a devastating impact on your business. Not only can it result in lost revenue and downtime, but it can also damage your reputation and customer trust. That’s why this cybersecurity tip is so important. Small companies that experience a data breach can lose a huge amount of money due to downtime.

By investing in data backup and recovery, you can ensure that your data is always available, even in the event of a disaster.

4. Sharing Sensitive Data Via Email

Email is one of the most common ways for businesses to communicate, but it’s also one of the most insecure. Email phishing attacks cause over 90% of successful data breaches.

When sharing sensitive data via email, it’s important to use a secure file-sharing service. These services use encryption to protect your data in transit and at rest, making it much more difficult for attackers to intercept the contents of the email.

5. Failing to Train Employees on Security Awareness

One of the most important cybersecurity tips for businesses is employee training. Around 90% of cybersecurity attacks are the result of human error. Employees may unintentionally click on a malicious link or open a phishing email, for example.

This leaves them vulnerable to social engineering attacks, which are attacks that exploit human weaknesses to gain access to systems and data.

To prevent social engineering attacks, it’s important to train your employees on security awareness. This includes teaching them how to spot phishing emails, social media scams, and other types of attacks. By doing so, you can help them avoid making cybersecurity mistakes that could put your business at risk.

Improve Your Cybersecurity with Fusion Managed IT

At Fusion, we understand the importance of cybersecurity and offer a comprehensive managed IT service that includes 24/7/365 monitoring and incident response. We can help you implement MFA, data backup and recovery, and other measures to keep your business safe from cyber threats.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you protect your business.

Author: James Michalak