It is important to interact with your customers online, to secure new and repeat business in the digital age. You can set up digital assets, such as a company website and social media profiles to achieve this aim, but this leaves your business open to cyber-crime such as ransomware strikes, which can damage your bottom line. Turner Little explains how to protect your business from ransomware attacks.
What are ransomware attacks?
Ransomware is a computer malware. It is installed by cyber-criminals on your devices covertly, and then holds your data hostage, giving thieves the power to extort money out of your business. Figures suggest that 42% of UK small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have experience ransomware attacks in the past year, with 67% losing data and 32% paying the ransom. It is critical that you shield your devices from ransomware, which you can do by adopting the following strategies…
Common sense measures
There are several common sense measures that you can implement to keep your business safe online, and they are effective in fighting malware. It is essential that you create secure logins, with complex passwords for staff, so cyber-criminals cannot break into your systems. You can use a password management system such as Last Past, to create the codes needed to make your devices hard to crack.
Human error can leave you open to malware attacks, so it is crucial you provide employees with guidance on how to act online. One area you should focus on here is emails, as they are often used by criminals to introduce ransomware into networks. Ensure your employees know to look out for the signs of ransomware attacks to keep your devices safe. This includes emails with misspelled words, unusual attachments and unfamiliar URLs, so make sure your staff know not to open these messages.
Invest in effective safeguards
Another way you can stop malware in its tracks, is by investing in effective anti-virus software. It is key that your anti-virus includes intrusion detection and prevention, deep packet inspection, port scanning and protocol inspection, as these features are the most effective at fighting ransomware. Also remember to update your anti-virus software as often as necessary. Ransomware evolves to overcome existing technology so without updates, you could be leaving your business exposed.
Hardware and software developers are constantly releasing security patches, to safeguard devices as ransomware advances. It is advisable to ensure staff apply these updates straight away, so there are no holes in your security that leave your data exposed. However, these systems should be promptly replaced when they become outdated, which can happen quickly. For example, one such program Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, already has four vulnerabilities and it will soon be out of date.
Develop contingency measures
You can prepare extensively, but your firm may still fall prey to ransomware. It is important that if this happens, you have contingency plans in place to limit the fallout. Develop a cyber-response plan, so you can mitigate the risks of ransomware should an attack occur. In this plan, consider how you will minimise disruption, so your business can run smoothly, keeping your reputation among consumers intact. You could for example, plan to revert back to paper-based processes, to keep operations afloat.
It is also wise to back up your company’s data. If you do not adopt this measure, and your business is hit with a ransomware attack, your employees will have to devote hours to rebuilding the database, disrupting operations and causing you to lose customers and ultimately, money. You may wish to utilise the services of managed IT services suppliers for example. In a short amount of time, these firms can recover lost data, without paying the ransom, causing minimal disruption to your personnel.
Build strong digital assets
If you want to mitigate the risk that ransomware poses to your firm’s bottom line, it is vital that you first establish strong digital foundations, so your other defensive measures prove effective. Begin by ensuring that you develop a robust company website, so your consumers can interact with your firm online safely. It is critical that you hire experts to create your company site, if it is to remain secure. Turner provides first-rate internet services, from website hosting to development, you require to stop cyber-criminals in their tracks, building a thriving presence online so your business becomes a success.
Turner Little
Turner Little was founded in 1998 and it has since become a well-established UK based professional Company Registration Agent, Registered Bank Intermediaries and Business Consultants, as well as Trust provider. You can receive our monthly newsletter by signing up using the form below.
