5-step plan to prepare your business for a cyber attack

In 2022, there were 4783 cybercrime victims per million internet users in the UK. This is the highest recorded number in the world, and is an increase of 40% compared to 2020.

So, with cybercrime on the rise, it is no surprise that more and more businesses and individuals are taking precautions to prepare and protect themselves from a cyber attack. You do not have to be a prominent business or famous person to fall victim to cyber attackers.

As a business, you have a responsibility to protect not only your own data, but also that of your clients, suppliers, and employees. Even birthdays, addresses, and phone numbers can be valuable to cyber attackers.

Follow our five-step plan to prepare your business for a potential cyber attack.

1. Conduct an audit

The first step you need to take is to conduct a security audit to assess your current situation. Before you can make a plan to improve your cyber security you must first get a better idea of where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

2. Train your employees

The weakest link in your business’ security is likely to be the people. Social engineering attacks, such as phishing scams , take advantage of the fact that humans can be easy to exploit.

Staff should be trained to understand the dangers of cyber attacks, to identify the signs of attacks, and to know what to do if they spot any of these signs. Training your employees will help in protecting your business’ data, rather than them unintentionally giving it away.

3. Use a firewall

Firewalls protect networks and systems from unauthorised access. A digital firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent untrusted networks from accessing your data.

Installing firewall software is an essential step in securing your network and protecting your business from cyber-attacks.

4. Backup your data

If your data is not already automatically backed up daily, this should be set up immediately. Backing up your data will enable you to keep your files safe and protect your business against major losses.

If you fall victim to a cyber attack and do not have a recent backup, you may lose important files and information. This will also cause you to lose time, and potentially money, whilst you try to recover this data.

For extra peace of mind, use two methods to back up your data in case one fails. For example, you could upload your data to an online cloud storage system, as well as to a hard drive. However, you decide to back up your data, ensure it is safe and secure.

5. Get expert help

Protecting a business from a cyber attack can be a full-time job. Enlisting professional help from IT experts can save you time and money. They will keep up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and measures so that you do not have to.

Cybercrime is an ever-evolving threat and, for true protection, it is important to work alongside a trusted IT Support Provider that has a track record of successfully managing cybersecurity threats against businesses, like ECL.

If you want to protect your business against cyber attacks, get in touch with our team of IT experts today.