With year-end right upon us and the vast business climate teetering on what final details of uncertainty and volatility we’ll have to bear this coming 2022, the holiday season is working up to be quite the eventful Christmas. And while giving last year’s outlook a run for its money is daunting, to say the least, the disappointing jobs report released last week pointing out only 210,000 jobs were added might actually have more substance and nuances than just the number alone.
However, beyond the external disruptive threats that continue to impact the market sentiment and general momentum on global economic recovery, the digital migration of businesses and enterprises remains at its peak, affecting the grand scheme of things and the roadmap for future business development. And, much to the dismay of numerous business analysts, many business owners and entrepreneurs overlook one of the most important business factors to emphasize today — cybersecurity.
Build A Strong Foundation For Your Online Business
On paper, cybersecurity and online protection may not seem like one of the pressing matters that should concern an entrepreneur when tackling business resilience. But would you rather wait for a data breach of sensitive information and the delivery of copyright claims before you think otherwise? You see, much like how you would invest in business insurances, cybersecurity is your assurance in the digital landscape that your company’s assets are protected, and none of your rights are violated.
- Search For Potential Entry Points & Vulnerabilities: Firstly, one of the most urgent measures to employ ASAP is the search for potential entry points and vulnerabilities that could compromise your online security with viruses and be utilized by hackers. For example, given that most companies hire remote employees by modern standards, you must provide strict regulations on how company-connected devices are used for remote work. Furthermore, malware protection and wireless network security should also be non-negotiable for both in-office and remote teams.
- Conduct Regular Data Backups And Systems Reviews: In addition to identifying online vulnerabilities and entry points, we recommend that you conduct regular data backups and systems reviews to highlight areas of improvement that can and should be optimized for normal operations. A month ago, Robinhood experienced a data breach through their customer support, divulging millions of sensitive customer information and exposing their shortcomings to cybersecurity. And to prevent the same nightmare from happening to your business, it is in your best interests to double-check every fact of your online operations regularly.
- Integrate VPN Services And Cloud-Based Software: Last but not least, to maintain seamless interconnectivity between company branches while retaining heightened security for your online business, we suggest integrating VPN services and cutting-edge cloud-based enterprise software for your business processes. Of course, there are still benefits to localizing data storage and management, but centralizing everything on the cloud will make protection more streamlined. Plus, VPN services for business applications are quick and affordable as well.
Practice Conservative Strategies And Expect The Worst
Likewise, when implementing online business protection policies and regulations, it’s not enough to address the mechanical aspects of the company alone. Still, it should also include the people aspect while maintaining a prudent outlook on possible outcomes. The risk of oversight and human error is impossible to erase; therefore, it is recommended that you have intervention measures in place for when the worst-case scenarios occur.
- Educate And Inform Your Employees: The online world is constantly changing. While the brighter side of things will highlight the innovative changes of digital business platforms, malicious users are also creating new means to introduce a greater cybersecurity risk. And, since we can’t expect all employees and teams to stay updated on the latest developments on online protection, the business also bears partial responsibility in educating their employees.
- Seek Out A Dedicated Professional Legal Services: Apart from education on cybersecurity and online awareness toward business protection, there’s no telling how, when, or if these concerns will materialize into actual threats. So, instead of waiting for them to happen and reacting to the situation, we recommend you seek out and appoint professional legal services beforehand. As a result, you will gain immediate access to legal counseling, subpoena services, and expert assurance over your company’s online well-being.
The Future Lies Within The Metaverse.
If there’s one word rippling throughout the business world that has everyone hard-stuck on forecasting and speculating, then that title goes to the Metaverse and how many entrepreneurs perceive what innovations to expect. And because there’s little to no credible information to build upon right now, you must start with what you can influence, which is your cybersecurity and protection for when the digital landscape evolves into something bigger.