If you’re the owner of a small or medium-sized business (SMB) in Canada, you probably aren’t too worried about cyberattacks. You may think, “Why would they bother with a small-time operator like me?”
Unfortunately you are not alone. In a 2016 FBI report, Canada had the most number of cybercrime victims (3,772) outside of the United States. Worse, a number of Canadians showed a disturbing attitude towards cyber crime prevention.
A 2017 study revealed that cyber crime victims exercised even less caution after being defrauded versus those who were never scammed: 22% of the victims continued to share their social media account passwords even after the crime!
Show those cyber criminals you’re smarter than them. Team up with a managed services provider (MSP) like Quicktech. We know a thing or two about protecting companies from cyberattacks; for 20 years now, we’ve been keeping SMBs around Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and all other cities of Greater Vancouver safe from hacking and data loss.
Here are seven cybersecurity solutions that will keep your systems safe and secure:
#1 A next-generation firewall
Fortify your first line of defense with next-gen firewalls that prevent unauthorized connections and and flag unusual network behaviour. Firewalls can come in the form of hardware or software, but the most important thing is that yours receives daily attention from a trained technician.
#2 Advanced data encryption
Hackers are always after your data. But if it’s encrypted, then it’s useless to them. Encryption is critical when transmitting data to the cloud because that's when it's the most vulnerable. Managed IT services providers can take care of all the messy details to ensure there is no unauthorized access to your data, regardless of whether it's sitting on an office hard drive or up in the cloud.
#3 Antivirus and anti-malware software
It is a never-ending battle to protect your system against the multitude of computer viruses and malicious software created to steal, delete, spy on, or hijack your data. Your MSP needs to be always up to date with the latest threats as well as the solutions to detect, prevent, and remove them from your system.
#4 Access restrictions
Putting data access restrictions on employee accounts may seem like a nuisance, but that inconvenience is nothing compared to what your company will suffer should criminals breach your defenses. Encourage your employees to use strong passwords, and mandate that passwords be changed and updated regularly. You can even limit file access to only those in the same department, or involved in the same project. If you partner with a reliable MSP like Quicktech, you can implement a two-factor security, which will further protect you from any unauthorized access.
#5 Regular monitoring and maintenance
Your hardware and software solutions must be in tip-top shape to prevent cyber criminals from exploiting vulnerabilities that vendors have already fixed. For example, Quicktech provides on-demand and periodic vulnerability assessments, and makes sure our clients are compliant with industry regulations.
#6 Regular data backup
You can't rely solely on proactive cybersecurity solutions. Because your data is what fuels your business, it’s imperative to not only keep it safe but to create backups of it as well. In the event of a breach or your data being held for ransom, you need not worry about data loss or paying the hijackers.
#7 Social engineering countermeasures
Social engineering cyberattacks involve manipulating people privileged access into providing information or access to company information. Cyber criminals use social engineering because exploiting human vulnerability is often easier than hacking into their computers — this makes human failure a primary security risk factor. Some of the more common techniques include:
- Phishing – Getting an email from a friend/trusted colleague asking for help, requesting donations, or inviting you to click on a link. This usually leads to victims divulging personal information or downloading malware.
- Scareware – Scaring victims into thinking their computer has a virus, and tricking them into downloading a “solution” when in fact they’re installing the malware itself.
- Quid pro quo – Offering to help or reward the victim in exchange for assistance or information.
Totally eliminating human vulnerability is impossible. That’s why we combine behavioural training with technology solutions. Quicktech offers fake-phishing campaigns to educate your staff on what to look for in real-world attacks and keep them on their toes.
Let us handle IT personally
Everyone at Quicktech is passionate about technology. Whether it be managed IT support or IT consulting, we are committed to providing you the best services for your IT needs. We serve a broad range of clients, from travel to finance to medical. And we’re committed to constant improvement. If you want your IT to be worry free, then contact our experts today.