Cybersecurity has become a pivotal focus in both personal and professional life. Cybersecurity hacks and attacks have become common in daily news reports and personal accounts are implementing more verification methods to try to protect user information. But as society tries to combat these attacks, the tactics used by attackers are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. For businesses, a cyber breach can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal ramifications, while for individuals, it can result in identity theft, financial loss, and privacy invasion.

We’ve put together a few Cybersecurity best practices, to close out 2024’s Cybersecurity month. Many people have heard some, if not all of these. Reminding ourselves of the foundational steps we can all take to protect data and systems helps everyone maintain a safe digital landscape.

• Regularly Update Software: Ensure all software, including antivirus, is up to date to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

• Use Strong Passwords: Avoid simple passwords and use a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols to create complex passwords.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an additional layer of protection by enabling 2FA on all sensitive accounts.

• Conduct Employee Training: Educate employees on cybersecurity risks and safe data practices.

• Use Firewalls and Anti-Malware Tools: These can help detect and block malicious activity before it harms your systems.

• Regularly Backup Data: Regular backups of your data can minimize the impact of potential data loss.

• Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Use strong encryption for Wi-Fi networks, especially in workplaces, to prevent unauthorized access.

• Monitor Network Activity: Continuously monitor for unusual activity to quickly detect and respond to potential threats; including home Wi-Fi networks.

• Develop a Response Plan: Having a plan in place for potential breaches ensures swift action to minimize damage.

If you haven’t already, adopting these cybersecurity best practices can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches and ensure a more secure digital environment.