The Entrepreneur's Guide to Cybersecurity - Protecting Your Business Online with Evan Fletcher (Atlanta)

The Internet provides entrepreneurs with many valuable opportunities. But its use also exposes them to threats such as cyberattacks.

Cyber for Builders was written specifically with startup founders and their teams in mind - software developers, marketing and sales personnel, investors, and analyst relations professionals comprise this community that shapes the future of cybersecurity.

1. Implement a strong password policy

Evan Fletcher (Atlanta) emphasizes that cyberattacks pose a real danger to small businesses, so entrepreneurs must take proactive measures to safeguard themselves and their customers from cyber-attacks. A key step includes developing and enforcing an effective password policy.

Weak or stolen passwords account for over 80% of data breaches, and hackers can quickly gain entry by guessing passwords like "password" and "qwerty." Developing and enforcing a strong password policy effectively counter this threat and ensure employees use secure passwords.

A strong password policy should include minimum length, complexity, and character type requirements and encourage employees to change their passwords regularly. Reusing passwords makes them easier for hackers and breaches to guess; for maximum protection, it should also be unique per device or app so that if one account becomes compromised, it cannot be used elsewhere.

2. Install antivirus and anti-malware software

Evan Fletcher Atlanta asserts that cyberattacks have evolved rapidly and threaten even the best-planned businesses with potential ruin from just one data breach. Not only can victims lose money, but they may also suffer irreparable damage to customer trust. Luckily, every company should take measures to guard themselves from cybercrime.

Step one should be to install antivirus and anti-malware software and then update it regularly, as vendors often release security updates to strengthen software or close security holes that attackers could exploit. Furthermore, a firewall should be set up to protect private networks against external access.

Spyware and keyloggers (programs that record the keyboard activity of users) must also be eradicated as these programs can collect sensitive information such as usernames and passwords and transmit it back to an attacker, who then can use it to gain entry to other systems or sell the stolen data.

3. Install a firewall

Evan Fletcher (Atlanta) points out that data breaches can be enough to put many small businesses out of business before they even launch. Cyber threats continue to grow increasingly serious for all industries. Yet, hackers often target small business owners looking for confidential data or malicious software that infiltrates their computer systems.

A firewall is an invaluable asset in helping prevent this from occurring, serving as a gatekeeper to all incoming and outgoing data and blocking systems that violate network security policies while permitting access for those that comply.

Antivirus software should also be updated frequently to protect your business's computers, servers, and wireless networks from viruses and malware attacks. You should set your software update automatically so you get all the important updates; additionally, setting up a managed firewall so it can grow along with your company is also beneficial.

4. Install a backup system

Data backup systems are indispensable to every business, particularly small ones. Cybercriminals are constantly searching for new ways to access private company information; unfortunately, small firms often fall prey due to needing more resources to stay abreast of emerging threats.

Evan Fletcher (Atlanta) highlights that maintaining regular offsite backups of key data can protect it in case of cyber attacks or any unforeseen incidents and help minimize downtime for your business by quickly recovering information.

As a business owner, you likely possess vast amounts of valuable data used for research, development, marketing, and other functions that could be instrumental to its success - and its loss would be devastating.

An attempted cyberattack or data breach could destroy your business before it begins. By following these simple cybersecurity tips, you can protect it against online threats while assuring customers' and employees' sensitive data remains safe.

5. Create a security policy

As technology quickly evolves, policies must evolve with it. A newly devised policy can protect your company against hackers and provide peace of mind for employees, customers, and shareholders.

Policies must be written in clear, uncomplicated language that nontechnical staff can understand easily while clearly outlining senior management's intentions and expectations regarding security. With such a framework, security or IT teams may speculate about what may be expected of them.

Evan Fletcher (Atlanta) clarifies that policies should cover securing physical access to company computers and handheld devices like cell phones. They must also outline how to dispose of these devices responsibly, as failing can allow hackers access to sensitive data that can compromise a company and its reputation. It's also wise to have an explicit policy governing any third-party contractors working with your digital assets that need them, as access is vitally important to business growth.

6. Train employees

Staff who fail to adhere to cybersecurity best practices can become the weakest link in your company's security chain, providing hackers with direct entryways into its systems. That is why employee training should be prioritized for any small business owner.   

Train your employees to protect themselves online by encouraging them to create strong passwords and refrain from clicking suspicious email links. Also, teach them not to access work-related websites and data through public Wi-Fi networks if working remotely from home or mobile data instead.

Keep your employees aware of how serious cyberattacks can be by regularly reminding them to change passwords and update antivirus software, including attractive infographics that keep it interesting for employees. Furthermore, provide regular security awareness training by hosting real phishing simulations so they remain vigilant against attempts at intrusion into their network - it's an essential way of protecting your business against an attack that could cost time, money, assets, and reputation.