Introduction
Cybersecurity was not always an essential thing for all businesses, but those days are gone forever. These days, all businesses (both large and small) need to be conscious of their online security practices. One mistake in this department can cost thousands or even millions of dollars, so you shouldn’t neglect cybersecurity. For new businesses, it might be difficult to figure out where you should begin. Therefore, we present a quick cybersecurity checklist for those of you who are just getting started.
1. Don’t Fall For The Hype
There are a lot of companies offering online security-related services, and many of them will promise you the moon while delivering very little. Many antivirus programs and VPN providers fall into this category, and they will try to make you think that their services are all that you need. As in many other endeavors, shortcuts usually don’t do any good and tend to backfire in the end.
VPN services provide anonymity, but that doesn’t always translate to a secure setup. Likewise, antivirus programs can only protect against known threats that have been documented by that particular company. Both of these services are far too limited to provide good cybersecurity on their own. There is no substitute for an expert hand at the wheel.
2. Consider A Managed Service Provider
If you really want an easy solution, you will probably be doomed to disappointment. However, a managed service provider can give you the easiest road that is available. These are internet service providers who also provide various other services, including all sorts of cybersecurity monitoring and response. Here is one good example of a company that offers the kinds of services you want. For IT services, San Francisco has a few superb options. Essential services include network monitoring, incident response, downtime prevention, and compliance monitoring.
3. Incorporate A Secure Backup System
In a general sense, security is often about the protection of assets. Those assets might be wealth, valuables, or human assets (like your personal safety!). In cybersecurity checklist, the most important assets are your confidential data. This data has both a positive and a negative kind of value.
On the positive side, your data is valuable because it is crucial to the operation of your business. That data allows you to predict economic trends, comply with regulations from the authorities, and all sorts of other things. On the negative side, some data can be damaging to your reputation if it becomes widely known.
Either way, it is important to have a secure backup system. For data with positive value, this can be stored in a well-secured cloud. For data with negative value, it should be stored in a locked-off physical location that is not capable of accessing the internet.
4. Use MAC Exclusion At The Router Level
You will probably want to set up a business-specific network for your company. There really is no reason for anyone except your employees to be using this network, so you should exclude all others from potential access. You can do this by going into your router settings. Every router has a login page, with the address usually being displayed on the router unit itself. Once you log in, you can change various settings to provide more security. You should go ahead and use the highest firewall settings, but that is just the beginning.
MAC addresses are network identifiers that designate a specific device. So, each computer, laptop, and/or mobile device on the network will have its own specific MAC address. You can set your router to refuse all connections that don’t come from an approved MAC address. Then, you just have to put all the approved devices on that inclusion list and you’re good to go. You can always set up a separate public network for your customers if that is a necessity.
Conclusion
There are many things that a new company can do to improve its cybersecurity checklist. However, by starting with these four points, you will find that you have a great start. You will already have better security than most companies and you can continue to improve from there. All it takes is research, diligence, and a few good people with the willingness to grow and learn.
