7 Tips for SMEs to Keep Staff Cyber Safe

Mon, 19/12/2022 - 13:55
An image of a man and a woman sitting next to each other. The image is taken from above. The woman, sitting on the right, has dark ahir and is wearing a light beige shirt. She is using a laptop which is open to some data and figures. the man seated to the left has dark hair and is wearing a black watch and a light tan jacket. He is using his mobile phone and writing in a notebook.

So you’ve taken measures to keep your SME cyber secure, but have you extended that same security to your staff? As one of the most integral parts of your company, it’s essential that your staff are kept cyber safe at all times, for the good of both your business and your employees.

While each company is going to have different needs according to their situation, these are our top measures everyone should implement today to keep their staff cyber safe:

  1. Develop and implement a robust cyber security policy which outlines acceptable use of company resources and sets guidelines for protecting sensitive data. By clearly and openly communicating this policy, you’ll help keep your staff informed as to what is (and isn’t) cyber safe behaviour. 
     
  2. Provide regular training to employees on cyber security best practices, including how to create strong passwords, recognising phishing attempts, and handling sensitive data securely. There are a number of service providers who can help deliver this training to your staff.
     
  3. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all company accounts, and require employees use it whenever possible. This includes everything from their company email address to the company social media accounts.
  4. Use reputable antivirus and firewall software to protect company computers and networks from malware and other threats, making sure to keep the programs updated at all times.
     
  5. Regularly backup important data and keep multiple copies in secure locations so you can recover them in the event of a security breach or other problem.
     
  6. Constantly monitor company networks for unusual activity and take any necessary steps to investigate and address all potential security threats.
     
  7. Have a plan in place for responding to security breaches and other incidents, and regularly review, test, and update your plan as needed. Having an up-to-date plan is one of the best ways to be able to quickly stop any cyber attack in its tracks and minimise potential damage.

Overall, companies should take a proactive approach to cybersecurity and make it a priority to protect their employees, their data, and their systems. If it isn’t already at the top of your list, make sure it is in the new year by following these 7 easy steps.