Check the best cybersecurity steps for new startups

In recent years, small businesses across various industries have suffered cyberattacks, including phishing and malware attacks. While some of these incidents were petty, others have dented business brand values forever. Small businesses are more likely to get attacked by hackers for two years – 

• Firstly, many companies and startups still don’t take cybersecurity on priority
• Secondly, they don’t spend as much on chasing cybercriminals, so these hackers are more likely to get away. 

Sometimes, it is important to follow the basic rules to keep security concerns at bay. In this post, we are sharing more on best cybersecurity steps for new startups. 

Take help from the security community

Sometimes, it is hard to be critical of your own cybersecurity measures. The best idea is to get your IT environments and networks tested. For instance, you could run a bug bounty program, where an ethical hacker or a team will get paid as per the program rules, if they can hack your company’s recorder. Some of the biggest companies have bounty programs, and these don’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are professional services that can manage such programs for you. 

Test, scan & backup

You would want to opt for network scanning in a planned and scheduled manner, so as to be assured that there are no unusual activities. Penetration testing and taking regular backups always come in handy to tackle security flaws and vulnerabilities. For instance, if there is a ransomware attack and some of your business files are locked, you already have ready backup to get your system up and running. All the three steps – testing, taking backups, and network scanning- are critical for all businesses. 

Focus on extra protection

There are varied ways in which you can take cybersecurity to the next level. – 

1. Reduce the number of privilege users
2. Ensure that you have a clear system for access management
3. Review your company’s existing cybersecurity policies
4. Use multifactor authentication where necessary
5. Check for lockout feature to prevent brute force attacks
6. Ensure that employees are using a password manager
7. Change all default usernames and passwords
8. Update all existing firmware, software, apps and software programs
9. Use antimalware suite, if you aren’t using one already
10. Finally, use network segmentation to protect your resources

Businesses are operating in a hybrid IT environment, and it is absolutely impossible to manage cybersecurity concerns without being proactive at all levels.