Spring is the perfect season for business owners to streamline processes and eliminate inefficiencies. As you refresh your operations, don’t forget to prioritize your company’s cybersecurity. Improving your cyber hygiene this spring can help protect your operations and give you peace of mind.
In this article, we’ll explain why cyber hygiene matters and share a practical checklist to help you evaluate and strengthen your own systems.
Why cyber hygiene is crucial for Canadian businesses
Cyber hygiene is the combined routine practices and precautions that keeps your digital systems healthy and secure. Much like how handwashing helps prevent illnesses, adopting strong cybersecurity habits protects against data breaches, downtime, and compliance issues.
When cyber hygiene slips, vulnerabilities can quickly arise. A forgotten password, an outdated device, or unchecked permissions might seem like small issues, but each can create a vulnerability for hackers to exploit. By maintaining regular checkups and adopting strong practices, you can keep your business secure, efficient, and compliant.
Your spring cyber hygiene checklist
Simplify your cybersecurity checkup with a clear, practical list of what to review and actions to take.
Update software and firmware
Relying on outdated software with known security flaws is like leaving your door wide open for burglars. Developers release patches to fix vulnerabilities regularly, but failing to apply those updates promptly leaves your systems exposed to potential attacks.
Action steps
Make sure all operating systems, business applications, and firmware, including those of your routers and printers, are updated to the latest versions. Replace unsupported software promptly and turn on automatic updates to avoid missing security patches.
Review access permissions
Allowing too many people access to sensitive data isn’t just inefficient, it’s a security risk. The more users with access or control over critical information, the higher the risk of exploitation through compromised accounts or stolen credentials. There’s also the danger of current or former employees mishandling data, whether accidentally or intentionally.
Action steps
Verify that former employees no longer have access to your organization’s systems and regularly review permissions for current staff. Also, limit access to important systems by giving people only the permissions they need for their specific roles, instead of allowing full access to everyone.
Assess and improve password health
Weak or reused passwords are an easy target for hackers. A weak password is something that can be quickly guessed, often using basic information about you. Reusing passwords across different accounts makes it even riskier. If a hacker gets one password, they could use it to access multiple accounts.
Action steps
Never use default passwords across devices and services. Instead, create strong, easy-to-remember passphrases. Make sure employees create unique passphrases for every account to strengthen security. To simplify and strengthen password management across the team, consider implementing a reliable password manager.
Back up your data
Data loss can strike when you least expect it, whether from cyberattacks, hardware failures, or human errors. Having reliable backups is your safety net against such incidents.
Action steps
Set up automated daily backups to both cloud storage and a physical device, and test them regularly to confirm they work. Additionally, develop a documented recovery plan so your team can act quickly and effectively if data restoration is ever needed.
Train your team on cyberthreats
A well-informed team serves as your first line of defense against cyberthreats. Many attacks such as phishing or social engineering scams target employees directly, making regular training essential.
Action steps
Conduct engaging training sessions by incorporating real-world examples of phishing and scam techniques. Complement these sessions with simulated phishing attempts to assess employee awareness and reinforce key lessons. Additionally, foster a workplace culture where employees feel empowered to report unusual emails or suspicious activity without hesitation.
Secure mobile devices
With remote and hybrid work on the rise, securing laptops, phones, and tablets used outside the office is more important than ever. Unprotected devices can become gateways for cybercriminals to infiltrate your company’s network.
Action steps
Require all employees to install mobile device management software on business devices. Implement security features such as lock screens and data encryption to protect sensitive information. If a device is lost or stolen, revoke the user’s access right away.
Conduct a vulnerability scan
Regular scans help identify weak points before attackers exploit them, giving you the chance to fix issues early.
Action steps
Use scanning tools to review your network and connected devices for issues such as outdated software, unpatched vulnerabilities, or exposed ports. Address gaps as soon as possible, seeking guidance from a cybersecurity professional if needed.
Cyber hygiene is an ongoing process
Giving your cybersecurity a thorough spring checkup is a great habit, but protecting your systems requires more than an annual effort. Cyberthreats are constantly adapting, which means your defenses need to keep up. This calls for continuous monitoring, routine updates, and a proactive approach to managing risks year-round.
If keeping up with cyber hygiene feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with a trusted IT services provider like Technikel Solutions can help simplify cybersecurity for Canadian businesses like yours. With real-time monitoring, expert support, and straightforward advice, we help keep your business secure year-round. Contact Technikel Solutions today and start your path toward better cyber hygiene.