Best Cybersecurity Practices Every Employee and Company Should Implement

Our cybersecurity team never tires of saying –A company is only as strong as its weakest link. Employees who are educated and careful about cyber threats are a company’s first layer of defence because most data breaches are caused by human error and negligence. Cybersecurity is the responsibility of each employee. We list here the best cybersecurity practices that every employee and company should implement to protect against cyber threats.

1. Regular cybersecurity training and education

Continuous cybersecurity training should be an integral part of a company’s security policies. Employees should be encouraged to attend, and most importantly, implement the learnings from the training. It is advisable to conduct training sessions regularly to keep everyone updated on the latest threats and procedures.

2. Update, renew and use the latest security software

Ensure you are using the latest version of a reputed security application. Regularly update your OS and other software. Update alerts should be actioned immediately. Read our blog on the importance of software updates to know more.

3. Use only secure Wi-Fi connections

Use only the company network at the office. If you need to access the office network remotely, use a trusted VPN service.

4. Use strong and unique passwords

Simple passwords give cybercriminals an easy way to breach company security, so using a strong and complicated password is essential. Use combinations of numbers, special characters and lower- and upper-case letters to make a unique password. Change passwords regularly and never use a single password for multiple accounts.

5. Enable multi-factor authentication

MFA provides an extra layer of protection. MFA can make it harder for cybercriminals to access your information even if they succeed in cracking your credentials. 

6. Avoid suspicious pop-ups and links 

Pop-up windows or links could have malicious viruses embedded into them that could breach the company’s security system. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is a scam.

7. Do not reply to emails from unknown or suspicious sources

Phishing scams are one of the most common cyberthreats that employees fall victims to. Employees should avoid entering the company, personal or any sensitive data in response to suspicious emails. Learn more on how to recognise phishing emails.

8. Use safe means for data sharing

Avoid sharing any sensitive information through unprotected networks and sites. Hackers can create legitimate-looking sources to steal data, so it is necessary for every person to be careful how and what they share.

Read our blog on safe file sharing to know more.

9. Use firewalls on company and personal devices

Firewalls prevent unauthorised parties from accessing your device and data. Having one installed on your home devices is a smart move if you work remotely.

10. Ask for help from the IT team 

When in doubt, approach the IT team instead of trying to fix a cyber or IT issue yourself. The IT team is always better equipped to deal with cyber risk situations, so it’s wiser to get their help when there is an issue.

These are the best cybersecurity practices every employee and company need to know. Securing your data is easier if you are aware of these practices and implement them thoroughly. Cyberattacks are no longer limited to big companies. Small and medium are increasingly becoming targets for two main reasons – lack of awareness and the absence of a robust cybersecurity system.

Trust your cybersecurity with the pros.

Computing Australia has more than 20 years of experience in helping companies of various sizes protect against cybersecurity issues. We also conduct penetration tests and cybersecurity training to help a company be completely secure. Contact us or email us at cybersecurity@computingaustralia.group. Our cybersecurity team is 24/7 ready to help you with any cybersecurity problems.

Jargon Buster

VPN – Virtual Private Network is an encrypted connection across a public network that provides online anonymity.
Phishing – a fraudulent attempt where the criminal impersonates as a trustworthy entity to obtain sensitive data through digital communication.
MFA – Multi-factor authentication is a security system that needs two or more distinct authentication factors to verify your identity to access an account or information.