The 5 Not-So-Obvious Security Measures for Businesses in 2024

We all know the basics of business security: strong passwords, keeping software updated, and maybe even a security camera or two. But many security threats lurk just beneath the surface, and the usual security measures aren’t enough anymore – after all, cyberattacks and their sophistication increase annually.

But we’re here to shine a light on some not-so-obvious security measures. Adapted to your daily processes, they can make a big difference for your business in 2024.

1. Consider the Wi-Fi (In)security

We all love free Wi-Fi, but public networks can be a breeding ground for security issues. When you connect to a coffee shop’s or airport’s Wi-Fi, your data might be exposed to cybercriminals. This happens when your data travels like plain text (when it’s unencrypted) – then, anyone can peek and grab it. Hackers can even create fake Wi-Fi names to trick you into connecting, stealing your info that way too.

The solution? Consider using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. Think of a VPN as a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. It encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anyone snooping on the public network. There are many VPN options available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs in sources like the Reddit VPN comparison table and user reviews on official providers’ websites.

2. Block Those Criminals Out with Ad Blockers

Ever clicked on an ad that seemed too good to be true? Well, it might have been! Malicious actors can hide malware (software designed to damage your computer software) in seemingly harmless ads.

Quality ad blockers can be your first line of defense against these digital nasties. Look into separate overviews of each ad blocker to choose the tool that suits your needs – a good example is this Total Adblock review. The ad-blocking software will help prevent malware from infecting your devices and potentially compromising your business data by blocking suspicious (or simply annoying) ads.

3. Security Awareness Training

Even with the best technology, human error can be the chink in your security armor. Meanwhile, a well-informed team is a powerful defense against cyber threats. That’s why security awareness training for your team is undoubtedly one of the primary steps to take in business protection.

First of all, train your employees to identify phishing scams. Examples can be as basic as emails or messages designed to trick people into revealing personal information. Then, make sure to cover the necessity of avoiding clicking on suspicious links. Finally, explain the importance of strong passwords for all work-related accounts. Find a good business password manager plan and encourage employees to use it to store all the strong passwords.

4. Patch It Up with Software Updates

Take a look at those software update notifications we all tend to ignore. Many even choose not to update the apps as they don’t want the display or other things in the app to change.

However, it’s important to remember that these updates are actually there for a reason. Specifically, security updates often fix vulnerabilities in software that hackers can exploit. By keeping your software up-to-date, you’re closing the door on potential security breaches.

5. The Importance of Backups

Let’s face it – sometimes things go wrong no matter how ready you are. A ransomware attack (where hackers lock you out of your data and demand a ransom to unlock it) can be devastating. Many businesses close after such incidents as they either can’t afford to get back the locked-out information or just suffer tremendous reputational damage, not letting them get back on their feet. These problems happen due to the:

• Lost data. Without backups, recovering important information like customer records, financial data, and project files can be impossible.
• Every minute your systems are down means lost productivity and revenue. Downtime can also damage your reputation and customer trust.
• Ransomware costs. Even if you pay the ransom, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your data back. Plus, the ransom itself can be a significant financial burden.

Then, regular backups of your important business data are your safety net. Regular backups create copies of your data that are stored securely elsewhere. So, if disaster strikes, you can restore your information and get back to business quickly. This minimizes downtime, protects your data, and helps you recover from attacks.

Conclusion

Remember, whatever measures you’re making a part of your business security strategy, protection itself is an ongoing process. There isn’t a one-time fix to defeat all the cybercriminals. That is especially true when we’re talking about insider threats, but that’s a topic for another time.

However, implementing the measures we listed out in this article can significantly improve your business’s security posture. Make sure to stay ahead of the cyber threat landscape – especially since it doesn’t intend to decrease anytime soon.