Every day, approximately 60 percent of small businesses become victims of a cyber-attack. Hacking is on the rise and the best thing any business can do is improve their server security.
Everything from customer information to business practices is at risk. And losing that information damages both your reputation and your customers’ confidence in your services.
Working with a managed IT services provider is a great way to bolster security. But there are still a few things you can do to make your information even safer.
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best and easiest ways to improve your security measures and keep sensitive data safe from would-be hackers and thieves.
1. Pick the Right Passwords
Passwords are the first gateway into your system. If they’re weak, anyone can guess them and access your information.
Pick a unique password and change it every month. Make sure not to pick passwords you’ve used in the past or ones that are in use on other accounts.
Ideally, you’ll want to incorporate a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters like !,?, and &. These will make it more difficult for hackers to guess your login information.
2. Keep Programs and Operating Systems Up to Date
Every program and operating system is a potential target for hackers. And older versions are particularly vulnerable.
Keep your programs and operating systems up to date by installing patches and improvements as the developers release them. These patches address new security issues the developer catches and protects your information.
3. Inspect Server Logs Frequently
Every computer server keeps a log of activity. When your team and employees log in, the activity should appear consistent. But when a hacker logs in, the activity will look different.
Every month or so, perform an audit on your security logs. This will give you a chance to address unusual activity before it has a chance to wreak havoc on your business.
For best results, work with a security specialist and let them monitor the server logs for you. They’ll be able to conduct regular cyber security audits and identify threats the minute they happen.
4. Make Backups a Priority
Backing up data and information is always a good idea. You never know when a server might get wiped and lose the information entirely.
But backing up your information also preserves your business’s information if a hacker damages the data.
You’ll always have a complete copy stored somewhere. Just make sure to house the backups on a separate server from your main operation. The more servers you have in place, the harder it is for a hacker to target information.
5. Only Install Software from Trusted Sources
Unfortunately, many hackers release downloadable content and programs with bugs and viruses embedded in the code. Once you download these programs, they can release the virus and access your servers.
The best way to avoid this is to download programs from trusted sources only. These include the software company’s website or a dedicated app store.
Take the Stress Out of Server Security
These are great ways to step up your server security, but they’re not always enough to protect your business.
Instead of going it alone, let our experienced security and IT specialists keep your business safe from cyber-attacks, hackers, and threats. Contact us today for more information.
