More and more businesses transition online, and the digital landscape continues to evolve every day. What this process also brings is more complex and commonly seen cyberattacks. In 2023, the need for a robust cybersecurity structure has never been greater due to the increased number of threats, and the consequences of a single successful cyber attack can be overwhelming.
Therefore, it is essential for businesses to implement comprehensive measures and digital security strategies to protect their sensitive data and digital assets from malicious attacks. In this article, we aim to look into some solutions that will help secure your digital operations in 2023. By following the suggested solutions, businesses can enhance their security posture significantly and mitigate the risks of cyber attacks.
Implement Strong Password Policies
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A great way to improve your digital security posture is to implement strong password policies. Passwords are the first line of defense when it comes to unauthorized access to digital assets. Unfortunately, weak passwords that people tend to use put sensitive data at risk and can be easily hacked, or even guessed.
To implement strong password policies, businesses can consider the following practices:
Use Complex Passwords
Encourage the employees to create complex passwords that include a combination of upper and lower cases, numbers, and special characters. It is also usually considered that longer passwords are inherently more secure. You can even enforce this if you manage the systems your employees sign in to.
Mobile device management
Mobile Device Management (MDM), is a security solution that enables organizations to manage and secure mobile devices used by their employees. It helps enforce security policies, monitor device usage, and protect sensitive data on mobile devices.
Enforce Password Changes
You can set a policy that requires employees to change their password after a certain period of time. Changing passwords regularly will help prevent attackers from using the same password to access multiple resources.
Use Password Management Tools
People tend to use easier passwords to remember and type them better. You can invest in a password management tool so employees can create and store more complex passwords securely and easily. They also add to the user experience of employees.
Use Encryption and Secure Communications
Encryption is a critical component of digital security. It scrambles data so that it can only be read by authorized parties using a decryption key held by authorized personnel. One of the most crucial things to understand about digital security is that data is most vulnerable when in transit. Encryption is a perfect way to secure data when it travels such as emails or online transactions. To implement encryption and secure communications, see the practices below:
Use SSL/TLS
Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) is a security protocol that encrypts data travels between web servers and browsers. Today, almost all reputable websites use SSL certificates to protect their users, but it is especially critical for websites handling sensitive data such as credit card numbers.
Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
The main purpose of using a VPN is to create a secure tunnel between two devices over the internet. This achieves two things: it allows users to access resources on a remote network securely, and it lets two parties communicate through a private network that is secured from outside threats.
Use Encrypted Email and Messaging Services
Encrypted email and messaging services use encryption to protect the content of email and direct messages. In order to ensure that only the intended recipients can read the message and to be safe from eavesdropping, you need to make sure these apps use encryption. To enhance email security further, consider incorporating an SPF checker to validate your email communications, minimizing the risk of phishing attempts.
Secure Your Network with Security Service Edge (SSE)
In order to have an effective and robust security posture, you need a comprehensive network security solution. SSE is a new and holistic approach to network security that brings together multiple services into a single, cloud-native platform. SSE provides digital businesses with a complete solution that includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, web filtering, and antivirus protection. Click here to learn more about Security Service Edge (SSE), and check the below list of benefits of this modern approach:
Improved Security with Reduced Costs
SSE brings all the needed security services together in a comprehensive and effective platform. It covers all aspects of network security and protects businesses from the latest and emerging cyber threats. It also reduces costs due to being a cloud-native solution, eliminating the need for on-premise hardware. By using this cloud-delivered platform, you can save while also improving your security posture.
Increased Scalability
Being a cloud-delivered platform, SSE can scale up or down based on your business needs. Changing market conditions and the growth of a digital business will need a flexible security solution, and SSE delivers just that.
Simplified Management
This is especially beneficial for smaller companies. With SSE, businesses can manage all their security services from a single console which reduces the labor needed to maintain the security system of the company. It also simplifies management and reduces the complexity of network security altogether.
Take a Zero-Trust Approach
Traditional security models rely on a perimeter-based approach, meaning only external threats are blocked from entering the network. However, this is no longer sufficient due to the emergence of remote work and cloud-based services. The traditional perimeter has disappeared, and now the risks are everywhere.
This is where a Zero-trust approach comes in. Zero Trust security approach assumes all devices, users, and components are potentially hostile and cannot be trusted. For this reason, instead of relying on the perimeter, zero-trust implements strict access controls and asks for verification at every step. In order to follow this approach, you need to identify your assets, define access controls, implement multi-factor authentication, and monitor the access permissions of your users.
Also Read: Top 25+ Trending Online Business Ideas That You Must Know
Conclusion: Secure Your Digital Business
Securing digital businesses is becoming more challenging and expensive as we go due to the increased number of digital risks. However, we do have some weapons in our holster to defend online businesses from cyber attacks.
By following the simple and accessible solutions we listed in this article, you can easily enhance your digital security posture noticeably. All online companies need strong cybersecurity regardless of their sizes, and these suggestions are here to help you achieve that.
