Cyber criminals don’t just target individuals – businesses are prime targets because of the sensitive data and financial transactions they handle every day. A single breach can cost you money, time, and your reputation. The good news: with a few smart practices, you can greatly reduce the risks.
Secure your accounts & access
Your business accounts are like the vault of your operations. Protect them with strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication wherever possible. Review user access regularly – former employees and third-party vendors should never retain active logins.
Educate & empower your team
Even the best firewalls can’t stop a click on a bad link. Scammers know employees are often the easiest entry point. Offer short, practical trainings to show staff how to spot:
- Phishing emails disguised as vendors or payroll providers
- “CEO fraud” – urgent requests for transfers from someone pretending to be you
- Suspicious attachments or links
When your team knows what to watch for, they become an extension of your security system.
Double-check every payment
Payment fraud is one of the most common threats to businesses. Always verify changes to vendor account numbers, wiring instructions, or billing contacts. A quick phone call to a trusted contact – not the number in the email – can save thousands.
Protect devices & data
Your systems are the backbone of your business. Keep all computers, point-of-sale systems, and mobile devices updated with the latest patches. Install antivirus and anti-malware protection. Most importantly, back up your data securely and test recovery procedures. In the event of ransomware or a breach, backups mean the difference between downtime and disaster.