Simple Tips to Help Your Business Fight Cybercrime
by Startacus Admin
Cybercrime has become an increasingly worrying threat for modern businesses. Here are some handy simple tips to help your business fight cybercrime care of the team at Innovate UK.
Cyber security has become an increasingly worrying threat for modern businesses. In the UK each year alone, cybercrime costs businesses up to £30 billion. Those who are left vulnerable and open to attack tend to be those without a solid plan.
While modern businesses are prone to attack, there are definitely steps they can take to reduce their overall risk. Here are some of our easy to follow tips on how to protect your business:
Stay Up-to-Date on Cybercrime
Keeping up-to-date on cybercrime and the trends surrounding the topic of cyber security is a smart first step to take. Knowing the threat in detail will help you know what and how to prepare.
Not only should you be keeping up on the wider topic at hand, but you should also be assessing your current security. Completing a cyber security audit will shed light on both the strengths and weaknesses of your current policies, as well as any dangers specific to your company.
This information, coupled with a better understanding of the actual threats, is an excellent way of strengthening your position. The key is in knowing what to protect and what to protect it from.
Place Security High on the Priorities List
It’s not enough to complete a software update every now and then, nor is it enough to say you’re taking security seriously.
You have to act on that statement.
Place security high up on your list of priorities by spreading awareness and educating your entire organisation. Formulate a clear risk management policy and make sure everyone your company deals with (internal and external) understands and complies with it.
The idea of robust security and how everyone can contribute needs to permeate through the entire workplace.
While it’s not wise to become paranoid about your employees, it is worth noting how they can cause a potential breach. Some may make a wholly unintended mistake; others may abuse their privileges.
Creating a culture where neither of these is tolerated is crucial. The ideal outcome is a reduced risk in sloppy mistakes, as well as a heightened awareness of what can cause a problem and what could prevent it permeating through the workplace.
Guide to Cyber Security for Startups & SMEs - Innovate UK
Imagine Every Worst Case Scenario
Don’t wait until you’re hacked to deal with the consequences. Don’t wait for evidence that you will actually be hacked before attempting to protect yourself.
Protect yourself anyway, under the assumption that sooner or later you will be hacked.
Implement password policies and 2-factor authentication, protect devices such as smartphones and tablets, and let everyone know exactly what you’re doing to mitigate the risks.
A good way to plan ahead is by imagining every possible worst case scenario. Assume that you’ll be hacked, and think of everything that can happen as a result. Will customer data be breached? Will the company need a period of downtime to recover and back up their systems? If so, how long will this take?
Recovery and response times are both crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive information which could be compromised.
Create a plan for each given scenario – your response time will be quicker and your recovery time will ideally be reduced, which could end up saving your organisation from having to shut down completely.
Innovate UK has a wealth of information and a variety of programs at their disposal. If you’re interested, you can learn more about what they offer on their YouTube channel.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Stashbee, the online sharing-economy platform for storage space, has announced a £1.6m funding round on leading European investment platform Seedrs.
The lowdown on Talentful, the startup that's using your cultural fit and personality to match you to a job and employer...
Hot flushes affect around 1.5 million women in the UK alone. Step forward Grace, the world's first automated tracking and cooling bracelet that counters menopausal hot flushes
The innovative startup that empowers restaurant managers and owners to measure and improve their customer experience.
upSTART, the startup pitch competition at Digital DNA 2019 will see over 20 disruptive NI-based startups pitch to determine who will win an all-expenses paid trip to explore the New York tech scene.
If you've not quite scraped the pounds together to get your 1st startup idea off the ground yet, don't fret! Here's a few top funding tips to consider.
If you are running a business, it’s important for you to understand financial matters, too, Here's some handy accounting reminders!
Holland-based startup Active Cues has created a simple product to engage children and adults with cognitive challenges...
The startup that's empowering people to participate in their health and wellbeing decisions with easy-to-understand health insights.
The startup that's aiming to reduce loneliness and social isolation through warm technology...
Published on: 4th October 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Stashbee announces £1.6m funding round on Seedrs 17th Jun 2019 Stashbee, the online sharing-economy platform for storage space, has announced a £1.6m funding round on leading European investment platform Seedrs.
- The upSTART finalists at Digital DNA 2019 13th Jun 2019 upSTART, the startup pitch competition at Digital DNA 2019 will see over 20 disruptive NI-based startups pitch to determine who will win an all-expenses paid trip to explore the New York tech scene.
- Lloyd's Lab announces third round of applications 3rd Jun 2019 From data sharing to next generation claims, insurance industry focused tech startups are currently being sought after to join Lloyd's Lab cohort 3.
- Startup Exhibitor package at Digital DNA 2019 28th May 2019 New startup exhibitor package at Digital DNA 2019 gives startups access to 150 Speakers, an estimated 3,000 attendees, 121 investor meetings, a startup pod to exhibit and 4 x 1 full-access exhibition tickets!
