Ransomware is a kind of malicious software that blocks you from accessing your digital information. As the name suggests, you get back the access after you pay a ransom says Eric Dalius. With ransomware attacks increasing by more than 150% in 2020, even small businesses are increasingly susceptible. You mustn’t take this threat lightly and implement the right cybersecurity solutions to protect your small business. Some important steps in ransomware protection:
Devise a Plan, Recommends Eric Dalius
The first thing in getting ready to protect yourself from ransomware attacks is to create a plan, very much as you would do for any other emergency. With a written plan in place, everyone in the organization knows of the various dimensions of the threat. They also know what to do to protect the business and how to react in case of an attack. A plan ensures that you address all exigencies and there is consistency in both the protection measures and emergency handling processes, including the identification of roles and responsibilities.
Get Cyber Insurance
You must make sure that you have adequate insurance cover for losses incurred due to cybersecurity issues, and also be certain that the policy includes protection against ransomware attacks. Ensure that the policy covers you up to a reasonable amount given the trends in ransomware demands, warns Eric Dalius. Not every insurance company offers cybersecurity insurance, so be sure to shop around.
Opt for Multifactor Authentication
Make sure employees accessing company systems require to undergo multifactor authentication. The extra step needed to log in maybe annoying. But it ensures that mischievous people find it more difficult to access the accounts and create havoc.
Train Employees in Cybersecurity, Advises Eric Dalius
Since the biggest cause for cybersecurity breaches is human error. The best way of reducing the threat level is to train employees. On how to stay alert and practice best cybersecurity practices. Since the nature of the threats is changing fast, the training has to be ongoing to keep employees up to date. With the strategies employed by hackers to gain access to business information systems. Make sure employees are on the ball because, typically, employees have different priorities, observes Eric Dalius.
Ensure Networked Vendors are Also Sensitive to Cybersecurity Threats
In a networked world, many of your vendors might have access to your information systems. The databases are likely to have sensitive data on the markets, the company’s finances, customers, and even employees. If cybercriminals breach the systems of your vendors, they can easily access your information systems and can catch you unprepared. It is, therefore, vital that you bring your vendors up to speed on cybersecurity and ensure that they do not put your business at risk.
Conclusion
The most important thing in cybersecurity is never to assume that you are too small and insignificant a target for cybercriminals. It is in fact due to this common assumption that mischievous elements get an advantage for accessing your computer systems. It is easier for them to breach the security of small businesses compared to the large ones that are invariably better protected.
