Just like brushing your teeth and washing your hands can help to keep you healthy, cyber hygiene protects your small business from viruses, scams, and cyberattacks.
Following cyber hygiene best practices can help to reduce the risk of costly incidents like data breaches.
Let’s start with getting to understand what cyber hygiene best practices are and where you can begin with protecting your small business from cyberattacks.
What is cyber hygiene?
Cyber hygiene refers to the everyday practices and precautions you take to keep your computers, devices, software and data safe. It includes things like:
- Using strong passwords
- Regularly updating software
- Backing up your files.
It also includes being up to date with the latest cyber threats and scams so that you can more easily identify cyber risks, like suspicious emails with questionable links.
These actions may seem small on their own. But when you put them together, they play an important role in keeping your business safe from cyber threats.
Cyber hygiene vs. cybersecurity
Cyber hygiene and cybersecurity work hand in hand.
Cybersecurity includes the wider system of tools, technologies and strategies designed to protect networks, devices and data from cyberattacks. This features things like firewalls, encryption and antivirus software.
On the other hand, cyber hygiene is all about the daily routines and good habits that support your overall cybersecurity. This is what you and your employees can do each day to reduce risks and keep things running smoothly.
Small businesses can’t ignore cyber hygiene
Cybercrime is an increasingly serious problem for small businesses.
A single cyber incident can have major consequences for a small business. The most recent data from the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) confirms that a single cyber incident will cost a small business, on average, $49,600.
However, practising good cyber hygiene is one way that small businesses can work to protect themselves from common cyber threats. To understand just what is at risk, here are some of the things that could happen when you ignore basic cyber hygiene:
- Data breaches: Could result in customer or employee information being stolen.
- Financial losses: Cyber scams, like fake invoice emails or phishing attacks, can trick you or your staff into sending money to the wrong place.
- Business downtime: A virus or ransomware attack can lock you out of your own systems, costing you time and money while you try to recover.
- Reputational damage: Customers may also lose trust in your business, and may think twice about dealing with you if they believe their data isn’t safe in your hands.
8 Ways to practice safe, simple cyber hygiene
Here is a 9-point step-by-step checklist designed for small business owners to help maintain good cyber hygiene.
1. Strong passwords
One of the simplest ways to protect your business is by using strong, unique passwords for every account. And if you’re worried about having trouble remembering different passwords, then consider using a password manager that can generate and store complex passwords.
2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security for your devices and accounts. MFA involves a minimum of two steps for a person to access their account or device.
3. Software and system updates
Software updates often include patches that are designed to fill any possible security gaps. Cybersecurity is something that is constantly evolving, and hackers are always finding new ways to cheat the system. This is why software and systems updates are important, as they’re designed to combat the latest cyber threats.
4. Data backups
Accidents happen. However, be regularly backing up your data and files, you have a safety net in place if something goes wrong. Use automatic cloud backup services and keep a copy stored off-site (like on a portable hard drive) so if disaster strikes, you can get your data back without much stress and hassle.
5. Antivirus and firewall protection
Antivirus software helps detect and remove harmful software, while firewalls block unauthorised access to your network. Many devices actually come with built-in protection. Make sure these are turned on and up to date or purchase a third-party product.
6. Staff education
Good cyber hygiene is a team effort. Providing basic training to all staff on how to identify and respond to cyber threats can help to keep everyone safe.
7. Sensitive data accessibility
The more people who have access to critical systems or information, the greater the risk. Only give access to staff who truly need it to do their job.
8. Wi-fi network security
Unsecured wi-fi is like leaving the front door of your house wide open for burglars. To help improve your cyber hygiene, make sure that you:
- Change your router’s default name and password.
- Use strong encryption protocols.
- Hide your network (SSID) if you don’t need it available
- Always use separate “guest” and “business” networks.
A little effort goes a long way
Basic cyber hygiene isn’t difficult and it can go a long way towards preventing cyberattacks and data breaches. Regular attention can help to protect your business, your customers and your peace of mind.
