2022 is here and with it comes an entirely new wave of innovation, both in cyber security and in cyber-crime. Because of this innovation on both sides of the law, it’s always important to take a step back at the start of every year to take stock of what the cyber security landscape looks like – and how your business’ cyber security defences measure up.
So, with that in mind, at CSP we’ve come up with a new year’s checklist to help you prepare for what cyber security threats 2022 might have in store:
- Implement multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA for short, is an authentication method where you need to include at least two other forms of authentication beyond your username or password. This could be a code texted to your mobile or a link sent to your email address. Whatever format it takes, MFA is a quick and easy way to prevent your business’ devices from being broken into by savvy hackers.
You don’t necessarily need MFA for every aspect of your cyber security set up of course – it can be inconvenient for everyday tasks – like logging into your laptop. But for high-level security, things like accessing sensitive information on a server, it’s essential.
- Create a cyber-security training schedule for your staff
We’ve spoken at length on this blog about the importance of training your staff on cyber-security – but it really is a crucial aspect of your online protection that can’t be ignored. All the fanciest tech in the world isn’t worth a penny, if an employee accidentally leaves an unsecured USB containing vital information on a commuter train.
The start of the new year is the perfect time to get a cyber security training regime up-and-running, especially while your calendar might yet be looking fairly empty. It doesn’t have to be a weekly thing – a session every month or so, ideally with a trained professional, should do the job nicely.
- Organise a cyber security audit
No one is better placed to review and examine your cyber security measures than an independent external specialist. A full audit, right at the start of the year, can set you up in good stead against the challenges that are yet to come – whatever those challenges may look like.
Equally importantly, an audit is an essential part of gaining a certification for your business, including the coveted ISO27001, a leading framework which can elevate your business’ reputation and inspire consumer trust. Arranging a certified auditor right at the start of the year, is the key to understand what you need to do to tighten up your cyber security.
- Update, update, update
It’s all too easy to forget your cyber security updates, but they are one of the most foundational things to keep on top of, if you want to stay safe in the digital world. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea, right at the start of the year, to sit down with your IT team and make sure that every aspect of your online presence, cyber security software and defences, are updated with all the latest updates.
These updates will contain all the freshest information on the newest viruses and exploitations, and all will contain crucial code that fixes security bugs. If left untreated, these bugs can become serious holes in your cyber protection, leaving you and your business wide open to an attack.
- Change your passwords
New year, new you, new passwords! Switching up your passwords is the quickest, easiest and most reliable way of keeping one step ahead of ‘would-be’ hackers, so getting on top of it right at the beginning of the year is a must.
Take the opportunity that the new year brings to tighten up your passwords too – always include both uppercase and lowercase characters, along with a number or two and a special character. We know you’ll have heard this time and time again, but let 2022 be the year you and your business level up your passwords to add an extra level of armour around your cyber security.
The above are just some ways you can make 2022 as cyber secure as possible for your business. Especially, with new threats and new cybercrime on the up, it always pays to take those extra little steps that keep you and your employees protected online.
If your new year’s resolution is to get professional help with your cyber security, we can help! At CSP, we’ve got the experience and the expertise to offer a wide range of services to kickstart your cyber protection. Get in touch today to see how we can protect your business.