In the modern age, it’s increasingly vital to increase the IT security of any business, big or small.

Threats such as hackers and scammers are just a bad click away, and can do serious damage to your company including everything from shutting down servers to stealing private information.

That’s why implementing the following 10 steps will help keep your business data and systems safe:

1. Hire an IT support team.

Your business cannot be too careful when it comes to protecting its sensitive data. One of the best ways to ensure that your company’s data is safe is to hire IT support services. These professionals can help you create and implement a security plan that will protect your data from unauthorized access.

As well as this, if anything were to happen that threatens the security of your business, IT support will be on hand to help fix the problem right away. This means that your business doesn’t have to suffer from the implications caused by unnecessary down-time.

2. Install a firewall.

A firewall is an important part of any IT security plan. A firewall helps protect your network from unauthorized access and can help safeguard your data from cyber attacks.

Most computers will come with a firewall installed, but if your business’s security needs are more complex, you may need to consider purchasing a specialized firewall.

3. Use strong passwords.

Your passwords are one of your company’s most valuable assets, so make sure to use strong passwords that are difficult to crack. You should also change your passwords regularly.

On some software, it’s possible to check whether your passwords have been compromised (potentially leaked). It’s always a good idea to check to see if you’re able to look this up on your software to make sure that your current passwords don’t need to be changed.

It’s recommended to have a variety of different passwords, rather than just the one that you repeatedly use. This means that if a hacker were to get into one account, they won’t be able to get into all of them.

4. Install antivirus software.

Antivirus software is essential for protecting your computer from malware and other online threats. Make sure to keep your antivirus software up-to-date and run regular scans of your computer system.

While many computers already come with antivirus software on, it’s likely to be very basic. For businesses, it’s really important that private data is protected as much as possible, so investing in a good antivirus software is essential.

5. Educate your employees.

One of the best ways to protect your company’s data is to educate your employees about data security. Make sure they know how to create strong passwords, avoid phishing scams, and protect their computers from malware.

There are plenty of quick and helpful YouTube videos that explain exactly how you can be wary of scams, phishing and data vulnerability.

6. Use encryption software.

Encryption software can help protect your data from unauthorized access. When properly implemented, encryption software can make it difficult for hackers to steal your data.

Encryption software is especially important if you’re storing sensitive data such as personal information or credit card details.

7. Keep your software up-to-date.

Software manufacturers regularly release updates and patches that fix vulnerabilities in their software. Make sure to install these updates and patches as soon as they are released to help keep your computer system safe from hackers.

Out of date software is likely to be less secure and more vulnerable to cyber attacks, as well as less equipped to deal with any loss of data.

As well as this you’ll find that eventually, the programmes that you use on your computers will stop working if software isn’t updated, so it’s always better to keep on top of it!

8. Use a VPN.

A VPN can help protect your data when you are using public Wi-Fi networks. It creates a secure tunnel between your computer and the VPN server, which helps keep your data safe from hackers.

VPNs change your IP address , so it’s harder for people to track what you are doing online. They are also great for unblocking websites that are blocked in your country, and watch different Netflix’s from around the world!

9. Install an intrusion detection system.

An intrusion detection system can help you detect unauthorized access to your network and alert you when someone is trying to hack into your system. This can help you take swift action to prevent any damage from being done.

10. Regularly back up your data.

Backing up your data is one of the most important things you can do to protect it from data loss or theft. Make sure to back up your data regularly and store the backups in a safe place.

If your data is backed up, you can rest assured that you will be able to recover it if it is ever lost or stolen. This can help prevent any major damage from being done to your business in the event of a cyber attack.

You can back your data up in many ways, including on to the cloud or on to physical space.

To conclude, by following these 10 tips, you can help increase the IT security of your business and protect your data from cyber attacks.