In today's digital age, ensuring the security of your small business is paramount. Cyber threats are very real and overlooking them is not an option. When it comes to safeguarding your business, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what constitutes the baseline for cybersecurity. With a host of options available, it can be challenging to determine what is necessary and what falls under the category of "nice to have."
So, what does a basic level of cybersecurity entail for a small business?
In the current landscape, cybersecurity risks affect businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. While larger companies have been dealing with these challenges for longer and possess an array of sophisticated tools, small to medium-sized businesses can't realistically adopt the same approach. However, they can still achieve a fundamental level of security by partnering with a managed services provider to remotely monitor their systems.
Secure Device Usage with Local Administrator Access
Preventing unauthorised app installations is essential to maintaining a secure environment. One straightforward method is configuring your computers to operate with standard user accounts, prompting an administrator password for installations. For larger businesses, there are dedicated applications to manage this, effectively reducing the risk of malicious software installations by up to 80%.
Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication
Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a fundamental step towards bolstering your business's security. MFA adds an additional layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification, such as a six-digit code, fingerprint, or authenticator app, in addition to your password. Any system that does not offer MFA should be viewed with caution, as it may not provide the necessary level of security for your business.
Strengthening Microsoft 365 Cybersecurity
Many small businesses rely on Microsoft 365 for their daily operations. While Google Workspace is an alternative, let's focus on enhancing cybersecurity within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. After setting up remote machine management, the next crucial steps involve implementing antivirus software and robust email security measures, such as email scanning.
Microsoft 365 provides a basic level of security within its platform, but additional protection can be gained by utilizing products from the Microsoft 365 Defender suite, available at security.microsoft.com. Defender offers valuable insights through a security score that compares your security posture with businesses of similar size. For medium-sized businesses, achieving a secure score of around 40% is typically acceptable. To boost your score, follow the guidance within the Defender suite, which offers a list of actions to review and their respective score impacts.
For those using Microsoft 365 Business Premium licenses, it's important to note that while these licenses offer a set of products, they don't automatically provide a basic level of security. Configuration is required for each product. Nevertheless, Business Premium does include email security, which is a critical component of your cybersecurity strategy.
Validate Email Domain Settings
Beyond the visible aspects of an email, there are hidden elements, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, which play a vital role in email delivery and security. Ensuring these records are correctly configured is akin to conducting a credit check for your domain name in the email world. Properly configuring these settings increases the likelihood of your emails reaching their intended recipients' inboxes, enhancing the overall security of your email communications.
Vigilance through Dark Web Monitoring
In the age of cyber threats, monitoring the dark web for compromised credentials is essential. Have your login details ever been exposed? Have you used the same password on multiple platforms? Detecting any breaches or leaked data early is crucial for mitigating potential risks.
Many password managers, even the basic ones, now offer dark web scanning. For instance, LastPass provides a health check on your email address and passwords, notifying you of any compromised credentials. With a managed services provider, you can access specialised tools like IDWeb, which continuously monitors all your email addresses and even your supply chain for potential breaches. This proactive approach enables you to stay vigilant and respond promptly to any suspicious activity.
Safeguarding Networking Equipment
Often overlooked, networking equipment like routers, switches, and firewalls also require attention in a basic cybersecurity strategy. Ensure these devices are properly secured, starting with changing default usernames and passwords. Vulnerabilities can emerge over time, and firmware updates are essential to address these issues. Regularly check for firmware updates to keep your networking equipment secure.
Consider a Security Operations Centre (SOC)
For businesses seeking comprehensive security, subscribing to a Security Operations Centre (SOC) can provide around-the-clock monitoring by human experts. A SOC can connect to your systems, manage them remotely without disruption, and initiate both proactive and reactive fixes. Automated actions also play a role, addressing issues in the background while users continue their work.
In Conclusion
A robust cybersecurity foundation for small businesses encompasses several key components.
Remote machine management ensures that all systems remain updated and patched.
Standard user configurations prevent unauthorised app installations.
Regularly updating networking equipment safeguards against vulnerabilities.
Multi-factor authentication is crucial for user account security.
Correctly configured email domain settings enhance email delivery and safety.
Finally, consider the added protection of a Security Operations Centre for comprehensive monitoring.
Remember, in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, staying ahead of threats is an ongoing process. By implementing these basic cybersecurity practices, small businesses can significantly reduce their risk exposure and protect their valuable assets from digital threats. Stay safe, stay secure!