Picking up where we left off in PART 1 of the article with common cybersecurity mistakes that small businesses make (please see part 1 posted to this blog, dated October 4, 2024), let’s continue to look at some issues that need to be dealt with right away when it comes to cybersecurity:

Assuming cybersecurity is a one-time task

One of the biggest cybersecurity mistakes is treating it as
a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and
small businesses must be proactive in updating and refining their security
measures.

How to Avoid It:

Perform regular security audits: Conduct internal or external security audits to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.

Stay informed about emerging threats: Subscribe to cybersecurity news or work with an MSP to stay updated on the latest threats and best practices.

Adopt a layered security approach: Your business should have multiple layers of defense, including firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection.

Overlooking Mobile Device Security

As mentioned in PART 1 of this article, in today’s remote and mobile work environment, employees are increasingly using smartphones, tablets, and other personal devices to access company systems. Without proper security measures, these devices can become easy targets for cybercriminals.

How to Avoid It:

Implement a mobile device management (MDM) policy: Require that all mobile devices accessing company data have strong security measures, such as encryption and password protection.

Require secure VPNs for remote work: Ensure that employees working remotely use secure, encrypted VPN connections to access company systems.

Enable remote wipe capabilties: In the event that a device is lost or stolen, you should have the ability to remotely wipe any sensitive company data from it.

Not partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

Many small businesses assume they can manage their IT infrastructure and cybersecurity on their own. But the truth of the matter is that IT in general, and cybersecurity in particular, presents complicated challenges.   Without dedicated IT resources, small businesses may struggle to keep up with the complexities of modern cybersecurity threats. Failing to partner with an MSP can leave a business vulnerable to attacks that could have been easily prevented, and costly to resolve afterward.

How to Avoid It:

Consider outsourcing your IT security: An MSP can provide 24/7 monitoring, patch management, and proactive threat detection, helping to keep your business secure.

Leverage cybersecurity expertise: MSPs bring specialized knowledge and tools that small businesses may not have in-house, allowing you to focus on growing your business while they manage your IT security.

Implementing cybersecurity with NTS is easy.

The above recommendations are laying some of the ground work for enhancing security measures.   Some of these solutions are possible with research and dedicating time to implementing them. However, it’s going to take a concentrated effort to get them launched by someone who isn’t familiar with the concepts and isn’t on top of this initiative on a day-to-day basis.  Don’t fret – NTS provides comprehensive cybersecurity services as part of our managed services. Our customers receive a proactive, effective solution through high-quality tools employed by a team of experts with a broad and deep skill set.  We provide foundational systems support that significantly maximizes network performance and uptime while reducing the risk of cyberattacks and malicious actions, allowing our clients to focus on their operations and customers. Schedule a consultation with NTS today!