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A Step-by-Step Guide to Cyber Security for Startups

Starting up a business generally requires a good level of expertise, courage, and collaboration. Or, while the process of establishing a business is fascinating, protecting the new endeavour from cyber threats should not be underestimated. we will be discussing in our step-by-step guide to Cyber Security for Startups.

As a startup, establishing trust can be a time-consuming and challenging process. Whether you have a physical store or an online store, you need to have cybersecurity to protect your website from undetected hackers.

Cybercriminals target new businesses since security measures may not be fully implemented. Customer trust is essential in a time of increasing cybercrime and data privacy breaches. As they grow their businesses, startup owners now face the challenge of obtaining customer trust.

Here’s a guide on how to keep your business safe from the beginning.

 

Identify Your Threats

When you have just started your business, your resources will be limited. As a result, businesses cannot maintain their security against every potential attack. In this scenario, research is necessary.

Identify and discover the significant and most threatening dangers in your industry. Once you understand which dangers provide the biggest threat to your business, you will have enough time and financial resources to defeat them.

 

Choose Secure Platforms

It is essential to consider the platforms on which you will operate your business. If you choose platforms that may be weak in security, you are setting yourself aside for potential problems. By choosing platforms that have been proved to be secure, you are ensuring the security and prosperity of your business.

According to Webopedia, if the platform password is weak, the whole platform is vulnerable. It means that even a single hole in the armour of the platform you select can be your organization’s downfall. In other words, don’t compromise on quality. Invest in high-quality platforms.

 

Get the latest Cybersecurity Software

Hackers are constantly inventing new and innovative methods to access systems, infect them with malware, or steal data from them. Secure your computer with the best and most up-to-date cybersecurity software you can find! It is common for business owners to get free versions to reduce costs.

Malware killer, free antivirus, anti-spam, and firewall software solutions are effective as an initial layer of protection because if you’re serious about operating a business, switch to the premium version before gathering an ounce of data from customers.

Unfortunately, installing the software will not be enough to eliminate all security threats. You should maintain your site up to date.

There is much trustworthy security software recommended by professionals with a vast network like Bitdefender Internet Security 2019, allowing them to discover the newest malware attack and immediately create bug fixes and security updates for their customers.

Therefore, the next moment you get an update notification, do not ignore it. Install the most recent updates to protect your network and devices.

 

Use a Strong Internet Security Software and Firewall

Aside from ensuring that your networks and devices are secure, make sure you also have strong internet security protection. Most antivirus software includes internet security and a firewall.

With such a tool, you can prevent the unintentional download of dangerous software and better identify and block assaults such as MITM (Man in the Middle), phishing, Trojan malware, and so forth.

 

Use Strong and Difficult Passwords

Every member of your team should have a network account. It is necessary to monitor everyone’s individual network activities. When there is personal accountability, it is simpler to trace errors and breaches.

Each member of the team must also have passwords that are difficult to understand. You also may assign the passwords manually as a rule of thumb and an extra layer of protection. These duties can assign to a member of your IT team if you already have one. With this method, another team member won’t know the network passwords since you or the IT staff will input them on their own devices. Whether intentionally or unintentionally shared, passwords are protected from being shared.

Additionally, ensure that your employees cannot download or install software applications on their own own. Even more, security is provided by restricting network access. Your customers should be held to the same standards. Ask them for a strong password and two-step verification if they need to subscribe or signup on your website.

 

Setup Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication has been one of the most advancements in cybersecurity in recent years. At this point, it would be unethical not to take advantage of the additional protection it offers.

Using two-factor authentication whenever feasible, such as on email accounts and device logins as well as protecting your email domain with a DMARC record, can make life much more difficult for hackers who could be interested in stealing information.

 

Install SSL Certificate

Implementing an SSL or Secure Sockets Layer is a standard security protocol. It secures your internet connection and protects sensitive information and data transmitted between the server and the browser. It keeps cybercriminals from spying on your system and accessing or changing your data. The encryption protects you and your clients, who let you have personal information and even banking details.

It improves your customers’ trust in you and your website since they know their connections with you are encrypted, and they can even conduct financial transactions with peace of mind.

Increased trust leads to increased online traffic, and higher web traffic leads to increased sales. 85 % of customers say they will not purchase from a website that lacks an SSL certificate. Site URLs that start with HTTPS can encrypt ordinary HTTP queries for a more secure shopping experience.

To stop cart abandonment, a site holder should have an SSL cert on the website, it will boost the confidence of customers. If you are an ecommerce startup then, a cheap wildcard SSL is an ideal selection as it secures subdomains along with a main domain. If you are worried about price then, there are many low-cost SSL providers who can provide you SSL certificates at cheap prices.

 

Setup a Cloud Storage

With the help of cloud migration services providers, you can setup a cloud storage and backup solutions as it offers an extra layer of security to the business. However, you need to restrict access to your cloud storage, precisely as you do to your physical networks and devices. Making your cloud storage safe starts with making a local backup of your data, selecting an effective cloud provider, and avoiding storing sensitive data on the cloud.

Customers’ banking information is considered sensitive information. Whether you’re storing a file, that means you won’t need it too often. Store it on your company’s server instead of the cloud.

Use cloud storage for files used in team projects or data that must access regularly. When a file is no longer needed as often, transfer it from the cloud to your local servers.

However, some cloud services provide a higher degree of security if you want to leverage them for archiving. Therefore, you must review the security features that will enable you once you subscribe to this premium service.

 

Final Thoughts

Cyber Security for Startups may not be a top priority for most businesses. You can set your business different from the rest. Anyone who wants to create anything important must start from the roots up.

Your company’s data management system and cybersecurity should be one of its highest priorities. Your business will also become more resilient to modern-day attacks and threats. Be future-ready by developing a new cybersecurity setup today.