Small businesses have quickly adopted remote working and converted to new technology, such as contactless payments and online ordering, since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Unfortunately, these modifications have raised the hazards. Supporting local businesses includes a variety of things, like protecting the local community from potential cyberattacks.

But, how do local business owners do this? Cyberattacks can happen to any business; it all depends on the prevention and protection methods in place. Check out this helpful guide on how the local business ecosystem can battle cybercrime.

Evaluate Online Systems

Before you can properly safeguard your business from cyber threats, local business owners should have a thorough understanding of the current ecosystem of online computer operations.

Local business owners should be aware of where their data resides and categorise the types of information they save, such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. You’ll be in an excellent position to speak with your internet service provider about the best method to protect your most sensitive data.

Find the Best Cybersecurity Practices

It is an easy process, supporting local businesses, even without the firepower of larger corporations. Local business owners can build security that deters cybercriminals from carrying out their attacks.

You can apply fundamental security procedures as a local business owner, such as:

• Set up firewalls to protect your networks from illegal access.
• Using antivirus software and making sure it’s up to date.
• Backing up data on a regular basis and keeping it somewhere other than the cloud.
• Using various passwords for different accounts and creating strong passwords.
• Require multi-factor authentication, which requires two identifying factors to access accounts and systems, such as a password and a code.

Research and Train

When it comes to defending your company against cyberattacks, you and your employees are frequently the first lines of defence.

Basic cybersecurity training may assist you and your staff in recognising typical risks and essentially help supporting local businesses. The more your staff understand cyber assaults and how to safeguard your data, the easier it is supporting local businesses. Regularly remind employees not to open attachments from individuals they don’t know. 

As well as, protocols for encrypting personal or sensitive data and asking employees to update their passwords on a regular basis. Also, teach your employees to double-check in person if they receive urgent requests to make unexpected payments, as this is a classic fraud.

Look Into Cybersecurity Insurance for Local Businesses

Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and hacking can all result in financial damages for your company. Cybersecurity insurance can help; supporting local businesses.

This policy would cover the costs of contacting your consumers, investigating the event, and providing credit monitoring services if, for example, your point-of-sale system is hacked and the hackers disclose the stored credit card information of your customers. If a client sues your company as a result of the occurrence, it would also cover legal bills and settlements.

Humana

Humana is a marketing agency based in Yorkshire that focuses on improving human relations and connections, through digital means. We enjoy supporting local businesses through the creation of stylised marketing strategies. Our team understands the best practices and methods of preventing cybercrime, supporting local business owners with marketing content; including healthy web development.

For more information, fill out our contact form. Or, follow our Instagram for daily tips and helpful suggestions on how to improve your brand.