On behalf of Sayer Regan & Thayer of Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP posted on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Cyber attacks and data breaches are on the rise with each passing year. In 2019 alone, there were nearly 1,500 data breaches in the United States, resulting in the exposure of nearly 170 million sensitive records. The financial repercussions of a data breach can be devastating for any business. Over the last five years, in fact, the cost of such breaches has gone up by 12 percent, costing companies nearly four million dollars.
As a business in today’s digital landscape, you have to take steps to protect yourself against cyber attacks and data breaches. Having an attorney skilled in these areas is key. Here are some tips on what you can do to deter cyber crime.
Use Antivirus Software
This is a basic, common way to prevent a data breach. These are essentially programs designed to prevent malware such as viruses or worms. Look for features such as email scanning, as well as data shredding and encryption, which protects sensitive data.
Train Your Staff
You can’t assume your employees understand the necessary security protocols that must be followed or even to know the basics of online safety. Tell them to change their passwords often, delete sensitive files on systems they no longer use, etc. But beyond that, you should offer a more specific training program that covers such subjects as cloud service usage, malware awareness, and digital communication threats. They should also know how to identify and report any threats that raise red flags.
Update Passwords
It’s a pain to change your passwords regularly. We get it. It’s an extra step that can take some extra time out of your day when you’re already busy. But this is a simple way to keep cybercriminals out of your accounts so they can’t steal sensitive data. Create passwords of at least 10 characters, and don’t incorporate personal information such as birthdays. Change these passwords once a month, and use different ones for each and every account.
Stay Away From Unsecure Networks
You could unwittingly be putting your business at risk when you use public wi-fi networks to access financial accounts, customer information, emails and more. Make sure your on-site employees and freelance workers only use secure networks when conducting business.
Do Not Use Personal Devices at Work
Allowing the use of personal devices while at work can also put your business at risk, as hackers could use those devices as gateways to your business networks where they can access all your data.
Perform Software Updates
These update alerts can get annoying after a while, but they’re in place for a reason. Implement software updates whenever required to improve your cybersecurity strategy. Outdated software could invite hackers into your system.
By following these tips and being diligent about cybersecurity, you can ensure data breaches don’t cripple your business.
Contact Sayer, Regan & Thayer LLP
Sometimes even the best protections aren’t enough. If you have been the victim of a cyber attack or data breach and need legal representation, don’t hesitate to contact us toll free at 866-378-5836 or 401-324-9915 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
These materials have been prepared by SRT for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed as legal advice.