Just two years ago, half of small businesses suffered a cyberattack. Although the number of attacks against small businesses is now lower, hackers still find a way to gain access to weak networks.
Contents1. Not updating regularly2. Reuse/weak passwords3. Provide public Wi-Fi4. Privileged user access5. Opening phishing emailsNetwork security mistakes you don't want to makeA business should prioritize and secure its network by avoiding network security mistakes. Here are five of the most common things you don't want to do:
One of the most common network security mistakes is not updating your devices when you're supposed to. It may seem like a new update is released every week, just know that updates are there for a reason.
New updates are made to protect your business against any new threats. Attackers will take advantage of a device that hasn't had its regular security updates.
Check how network monitoring can reduce employee downtime and enable regular updates if needed.
Passwords are the only thing stopping people from accessing your network with the click of a button. Reused and weak passwords are a common entry point for hackers to gain access to your files.
Creating strong passwords is not a difficult concept to teach your employees. As a general rule, tell employees to create passwords that are not based on their personal information.
Employees should also not reuse a password they have used for other sites. If a hacker cracks one code, they can crack them all, putting your company's data at risk.
Yes, offering public Wi-Fi is a great gesture, but it's not the smartest move unless you do it right. This is another of the common cybersecurity mistakes because employees and customers will be operating on the same network.
Employee data/business data can be intercepted with shared network. Make sure your data server is hidden from public Wi-Fi cloud to avoid this problem.
Your best bet is to use a separate network for employees and customers.
You can organize network security training for those you want to have administrator privileges. It's never a good idea to allow every employee to have this access.
Even if your employees are not acting maliciously, there is always a risk that they will accidentally install malware on the network. Always monitor user privileges to ensure those with access are using them correctly.
Phishing is a common hacking technique that involves using emails to obtain passwords and other sensitive information. These emails may appear to be from a legitimate company to trick you into providing information.
Links and attachments, if clicked, can spread viruses throughout the network. While you can't control the emails your employees receive, you can train them in hacking techniques so they're equipped to avoid them.
In addition to avoiding phishing emails, implementing robust email protection protocols in your domain will help you avoid receiving or falling victim to phishing emails. Proper deployment of DMARC, DKIM, and SPF Records will ensure that no one sends phishing emails on your behalf.
Often, network security errors are caused by human error. With proper network security training, the tips above will be easier for your business as a whole to follow.
Don't make a mistake that takes your business downhill. Follow this guide and use a quality network security system to protect your data and other sensitive information.
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Infographic created by Donnelley Financial Solutions a digital contract software editor
