Thousands of entrepreneurs choose to go solo and build their businesses without the help of a large team of experts. Many beginners who start their own business opt for this route to save money and build their companies. However, as admiring as it is to see solo entrepreneurs make it in the world of large corporations, there is one problem that most of them eventually stumble upon.
This problem is the question of cybersecurity in their business. With so many responsibilities on their shoulders, it is common for entrepreneurs to neglect the security aspect of their business. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few tips that will help you maintain a secure network while operating your business.
The first step to improving your cybersecurity system without a team of experts is to set up strong passwords. It is important to manage your passwords regularly and change them every two weeks. This will make it more difficult for hackers to follow up and find a way to access your network. We recommend using password tools such as 1Password to make this process easier. Tools like this one will help you update your passwords securely and manage them all in one place.
If you are a solo entrepreneur without a cybersecurity team, a VPN or virtual private network will become your best friend. VPNs create an encrypted tunnel between all your devices and a distant server. That way, all traffic and data that travels to and from your devices is completely hidden, allowing you to use the internet anonymously. Thus, using a VPN will make you practically invisible to hackers. It is especially important to use a VPN when connected to public networks because public Wi-Fi spots are one of the most dangerous security threats for solo entrepreneurs.
Besides a VPN, make sure to have active antivirus software running at all times. Even though an antivirus cannot entirely protect your devices, it can help identify potential threats by alerting you of any malware or malicious sites you come across. Make sure to invest in a good antivirus program and avoid free solutions because those are often useless in the long run. Some of the more advanced antivirus programs offer email attachment scan features, which will further help protect your business.
It is easier for hackers to breach a system if you’re using old hardware equipment and out of date software applications. While old servers and computers can help you save some budget, they can easily turn into large security risks. To avoid having such an exploitable vulnerability in your business, make sure to upgrade your hardware and use decent equipment. Keep all your software programs up to date as well.
Last but not least, it is important to dedicate time to educating yourself on the topic of cybersecurity. Without a team of security experts, you will have to take care of all aspects of the NIST framework, including detecting threats, recovering from incidents, and preventing attacks. For that reason, make sure to take at least 20 minutes of your day to read and learn more about safety measures that can help protect your business.
Acting as an entire cybersecurity team might be difficult but it’s not impossible. As long as you implement these safety measures and stay on top of the latest cybersecurity threats, you have great chances of maintaining a strong security system. Make sure to take advantage of the NIST and its safety regulations, as they will help you stay on track with your security procedures.