Technology is an indispensable component to the success of any business today, regardless of its size. However, along with the practicalities it offers, there has also been an increasing number of cyber threats. Even small businesses can be targeted by criminals.
To deal with these risks, you need to invest in resources to promote cybersecurity in your business. Failing to prioritize this aspect of the business dramatically increases the risks you expose yourself to.
If you want to ensure the best digital protection for your insurance agent business, then you need to make cybersecurity a priority. Follow along to better understand its importance and how you can do it.
What is cybersecurity?
As the name suggests, it is a set of practices and procedures with the objective of promoting the security of the company’s information and network. Its purpose is to prevent the entry of malware or actions that could harm its functioning, in addition to minimizing the risks of the company being a victim of cybercrimes.
As we mentioned, this is an increasing priority within companies. First, it helps to neutralize digital threats that could damage your business internally. In addition, these practices are also intended to prevent your services from being interrupted, given that most corporate tasks rely on digital technology.
What are the top digital threats today?
If there is not adequate investment in cybersecurity within the company, the risks of loss are quite high. Some of the top threats you should be concerned about are:
Data theft/hijacking
Information is the biggest currency of exchange today. Something criminals also know. Therefore, many of them attack companies in order to steal their data, obtaining confidential information about their customers, employees, and partners.
Once you get this data, a few things can happen. First, the criminal can use this data to commit fraud or even sell it. Second, data hijacking can be done; where the original information is erased from your database, and to get it back, you have to pay any amount. Otherwise, the information may be leaked.
Spyware
Malware, or “malicious software,” are applications with a criminal purpose and/or harmful to your network. And one of the most common types is spyware. As the name says, it is a spy program that monitors the activities of a machine or a network. If it goes undetected for a long time, spyware can be used to leak sensitive information, including passwords and cryptographic keys.
phishing
Originating from English, the term phishing refers to the practice of “fishing” for information online and luring users into the trap. It usually comes in the form of an email or social media message that invokes a sense of urgency (account cancellation, emergency, limited offer, etc.), which comes with a link.
Upon opening the link in the message, the user is redirected to a page where they can enter their information, which is collected by criminals. The same can occur within the company, with employees being directed to pages that download malware, for example.
What are the best cybersecurity practices in companies?
Despite the risks, it is still possible to use digital tools in their entirety within the company. It’s just a matter of knowing these threats and taking the necessary steps to minimize their impacts. Here are some practices that you should implement as soon as possible!
Password management and access control
The use of secure passwords is essential to prevent unauthorized access to the company. Even criminals who enter your network remotely cannot access all data without the use of a password.
Therefore, it is important that, in their management, they are difficult to deduct and that they are changed regularly. Certain aspects, such as including letters, numbers, and symbols, not containing dates or names, among other things, go a long way in minimizing the chances of tampering.
Corporate antivirus and firewall
The two most common tools for protecting computers and networks are the antivirus, which identifies malicious programs, and the firewall, which controls the entry and exit of data on a given machine. However, models used for home protection are not as robust as those used in companies.
If you want to maximize your security, you need to invest in a corporate firewall and antivirus. That way, you’ll have better coverage against more severe threats.
Updated programs and operating systems
Different software can have security holes that cybercriminals can exploit. That’s why, over time, developers work on updating these tools and eliminating these loopholes.
If you use outdated versions of your common programs, there is a chance that your security holes have already been discovered and are easier to access. So to minimize risk, you need to keep these systems up to date.
network monitoring
The best way to prevent intruders from accessing your network data is to have tools to monitor all activities carried out within your network. That way, if any suspicious movement or access from an unknown source occurs, these actions can be stopped immediately.
team training
A good part of cybersecurity practices in companies depends directly on the participation of employees to be successful. At the end of the day, to minimize the number of breaches, it is ideal that all employees also undergo digital security training so that they can respond to these threats properly.
Expert advice
Even with a lot of research, nothing replaces the opinion of a digital security expert. Having a dedicated consultancy to analyze the state of your network and define the changes that need to be made greatly increases the efficiency of your protection, especially in the long run.
Investing in cybersecurity is essential for any company. Understanding these threats and the actions you can take to neutralize them is the first step in maximizing information security in your business.
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