According to a study by Keeper Security and the Ponemon Institute, 63% of small-to-medium-sized businesses have experienced data breaches within the past year. Nearly half of those businesses failed to have in place any sort of cybersecurity defense. A lot of business owners think they won’t get targeted.

The bad news for them is that the data suggests otherwise. When it comes to cyberattacks and small businesses, it’s not so much if they will become victims of cybercrime, but when will they.

If you’re looking for good news, there is knowing that you already have your first and possibly best line of defense already in place — your employees. All you have to do put in place some basic cybersecurity training, and you’ll be off to a good start in keeping your business network safer from attack.

With proper training in place, you can avoid the risk of downtime, stolen data, and the severe penalties associated with regulatory noncompliance.

Here are the main things you should consider when setting up an effective cybersecurity plan.

Robust passwords

An aspect of security all employees can take shared responsibility for in protecting your data relies on sensible password practices. Strong passwords are critical. If you’re not using smart passwords, you’re leaving yourself open for all manner of attack.

• Choose a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Don’t group numbers or special characters at the very beginning or end of a password.
• Avoid using names — even the names of pets.
• Do not share your password with others.
• If you must write down your passwords, keep the paper in a secure location.
• Do not use the same password across multiple services.
• Management should require passwords to be changed regularly.

Simple guidelines like these will go a long way toward keeping your network safe from unfriendly eyes.

For an added layer of password security, use a two-step authorization process.

Put up a firewall

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls network traffic — both incoming and outgoing — based on a set of predetermined rules. Typically, a firewall acts as a barrier between external networks such as the Internet and your business’s internal network.

A well-functioning firewall can block unauthorized access, viruses, and malware, Only traffic you’ve already approved of will get through. It can also prevent users within your own business from accessing blocked sites. Let’s be honest — some employees will, on occasion, check out porn sites that are notorious for being high-risk.

A firewall is like a suit of armor for your network.

Establish an encryption protocol

Strong passwords and firewalls are great, but a sturdy defense plan uses encryption as another tool that can contribute significantly to keeping your data safe. Even if a bad actor manages to get inside your networks, any stolen data they walk away with is worthless without the correct encryption keys and software. What’s nice about encryption is that you can position it at either end of the information exchange. You can even place encryption at both ends for added security. This defense can protect everything on your network, from desktops and mobile devices to onsite network servers or offsite cloud storage.

Employee training

When you get right down to it, cybersecurity begins and ends with your employees. Keep staff up to speed on good password habits, encryption protocols, and prudent e-mail and internet use. Run regular meetings about recognizing phishing scams, suspicious links, dangerous attachments, and social engineering.

Taking time to educate your staff on these simple precautions will help your business avoid a lot of trouble.

Don’t be hesitate to consult experts

The best way to help keep your business safe from cyberattack is to understand the dangers and how to minimize those dangers. If you’re not sure the best way to proceed or worry you might make a mistake and leave yourself wider open for attack, then don’t second guess yourself. Call in the experts.

There are loads of cybersecurity businesses out there with the equipment, knowledge, and means to help bolster your business’s security. You can usually hire these businesses on a renewable contract basis and get access to 24/7 support.

The threat of cyberattacks is genuine, and the consequences of a data breach can potentially ruin a business. By taking preemptive measures, strengthening network security, and training staff, you can keep your business safer, allowing you to concentrate more on growth than disaster.