The ever-advancing evolution of technology has provided businesses with entirely new platforms through which to connect with people, more fluid and efficient operations, and better storing and organizing of their data. Social media platforms have allowed for the vast and sudden dissemination of information, making it possible to market on a scale like never before and receive customer feedback in real-time.

As much as our culture’s newfound widespread reliance on these technologies can be frustrating for less tech-savvy business owners, the fourth technological revolution has brought with it a number of innovations that can push businesses forward.

Unfortunately, with this constant evolution of technology comes the in-lockstep growth of cybercrime. An infamous study conducted in 2017 by scientists at the Clark School found that on average, hackers attempted to infiltrate devices connected to the internet every 39 seconds, and 2017 feels like lightyears away from where we are now. Trustifi is a cyber security firm featuring solutions delivered on a software as a service platform.

With hacking kits being cheap and widely available, cybercrime is becoming a multi-million dollar industry for ne’er-do-wells looking to profit off the misfortune of big business; and with the shift to virtual platforms that came with the pandemic, it’s only likely to continue growing, with cybercrime projected to cost the world over $10.5 trillion annually in 2025. No industry is safe, as one of the biggest targets of cybercrime in 2020 was the healthcare industry, with almost 10 million healthcare records exposed and millions of dollars worth of data stolen. If they don’t already have Practice Management Software in place, healthcare practices may wish to get some in place in order to make record-keeping as easy as possible, while also making sure that their cybersecurity is as tight as possible to minimize the risk of cyber attacks.

If you want to protect your assets from this growing threat, you’ll likely need to update your cybersecurity practices and use an it managed service to help you keep your security under control. SFTP server | Fortra uses an encryption tunnel to protect data, user IDs, passwords, and commands that flow through the connection between you and your trading partner.

1. Set Up a Firewall or Two

Firewalls are your first method of defense against unwanted incursions and can effectively block hackers from accessing sensitive information. While it’s generally recommended that most corporations (and most work-from-home operations) have at least one in place, the more firewalls you tend to have up, the more secure your information is likely to be.

2. Enroll Your Employees in Cybersecurity Classes

No, not coding bootcamps, although if you want one of your employees to get training in cybersecurity best practices, that’s certainly not a bad option. All of your employees should be aware of your company’s regulations regarding cybersecurity best practices, and this knowledge should be reinforced repeatedly at required intervals of time. Any updates to your policy should be effectively communicated as soon as possible, and associates should be required to sign documents demonstrating that you did, in fact, educate them. The last step may seem unnecessary, but it will go towards holding specific employees accountable, should the need ever arise.

3. Install Reliable Antivirus Software

Even the most careful website browsing practices cannot fully eliminate the possibility of malware working its way into your system. As such, purchasing reliable antivirus software, such as Norton or Webroot, can provide a much-needed safeguard against these kinds of unwanted incursions. In addition to warning you if a website you’re about to visit isn’t secure, these programs tend to protect you against unwanted program installations just in case an employee opens a phishing email, one of the leading causes of malware spreading.

4. Two-Factor Authentication and Regular Password Changes

While these two practices can prove painful for employees who don’t like constant change, implementing a two-factor authentication system and changing your passwords at regular intervals can provide another added layer of security against the possibility of human error. Constantly changing your passwords will limit access to those who are currently working for your company, while two-factor authentication will protect your data should your employee’s password or identifying information be compromised.

5. Hire a Consultant

Sometimes you need a reliable, third-person perspective who can evaluate your cybersecurity practices in an unbiased manner and recommend ways to improve. One such dedicated consultant is JDE Managed Services, which in addition to providing cybersecurity services have been known for their expert business process optimization, application and tool upgrades, and package builds. In addition to making your system more secure, they can also buff it, streamlining your operations and making them much more efficient.

Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe

As technology continues to develop and cybercriminals get more creative, taking steps to protect your company from cyberattacks is necessary, albeit somewhat costly, in order to ensure that your information remains secure. Whether you hire a consultant or choose to implement a few cost-effective cybersecurity measures instead, make sure you go with the option that will give your business the best possible protection: your success in the future may depend on it.