Often small businesses are easy targets for hackers.
Most of the time, they are found to operate on outdated software and weak passwords.
Another problem that limits their capability to grow is the lack of funds. Because of that, they cannot hire cybersecurity experts for timely audits and invest in robust cybersecurity tools.
We understand the importance of funds but, you can still protect yourself without stretching your budget.
Yes, you do not need a plethora of funds to protect your website from cybercriminals.
Wondering what those cheap and effective solutions are?
Well, let’s take a look:
- Invest in an SSL certificate.
You can afford to compromise on other business expenses but not on an SSL or Secure Sockets Layer certificate.
An SSL certificate is a security protocol that is used to protect your domain by encrypting its connection.
In an SSL encrypted website, a hacker cannot see what is communicated between a web server and a web browser.
SSL also enables HTTPS or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure encryption that puts a secure padlock ahead of the URL marking it safe.
For small business owners buying a separate SSL certificate for each subdomain is costly. That is why we encourage you to buy a wildcard SSL certificate.
A single wildcard certificate can protect your primary domain along with an unlimited number of first-level subdomains, unlike a regular SSL cert that can only protect a single domain at a given time.
The best part about wildcard is that it’s a cost-effective cheap SSL certificate. You only buy it once, and it protects all your first-level subdomains.
Moreover, search engines like Google are also biased towards SSL-encrypted domains. The search engine giant marks the non-SSL websites as “Not Secure” and restricts their user visibility.
If you own an eCommerce website that needs to accept online payments, you need PCI/DSS compliance. SSL plays an integral role in complying with the Payment Card Industry guidelines too.
Thus, getting an SSL certificate is more of a need than a luxury. No website in today’s world can call itself safe without installing the SSL certificate.
So, purchase an SSL certificate today.
- Data backups
First things first, website security heavily depends upon your overall preparation. Therefore, you must be well-prepared in advance for a cyberattack.
Being a small business, you might not want to invest in robust cybersecurity tools. However, that’s why you must keep your data backed up at all times.
A good way to do this is to store it on cloud-based technology.
However, if you don’t want to invest in cloud technology, we recommend it to multiple drives and systems so that you don’t have to worry if one system goes down.
- Employee training
Hackers can use your employees as a doorway to your website.
Untrained employees often make unintentional blunders, and business owners often hold them responsible for it.
Well, they are truly responsible but, so are we.
Are we giving them extensive cybersecurity training? Are they aware of the latest cybersecurity trends?
If not, then we cannot completely hold them liable for it.
As a business owner, you must conduct cybersecurity guest sessions to find experts to train employees.
- Have strong passwords
No wonder why password strength has always been a famous cyber trend.
Passwords provide an easy gateway to hackers. Even the slightest of guesses can be catastrophic. That is why you cannot afford your passwords to be weak and guessable.
A strong password comprises the words, symbols, and letters you use and their applicability.
You cannot afford to integrate the same password everywhere.
- Choose a good web host.
While choosing a website host, look for their reviews and ratings.
Do they appeal to you?
Read reviews and see what people have to say about their service.
A responsible host always maintains a firm grip over cybersecurity news and business trends to understand the necessary changes they might make in the coming days.
Moreover, a host is responsible for providing technical support at the back-end. The hosting provider’s team should be updated with the latest technological changes and small business data security trends as well.
Ensure that your host is adapting to the latest technological changes.
- Keep an eye on updates.
Developers don’t charge a single penny from you for their updates. They are free, yet; many business owners never realize the importance of timely updates.
Updates are done, keeping the cybersecurity changes in mind. However, your CMS platforms and plugin companies cannot afford to let the hackers take the lead in terms of technology.
Hackers in the lead will result in mass data theft, software breaches, and more.
So, assist your CMS provider and plugin companies by keeping your software updated and maintaining small business data security.
- Hire an expert
Now that you have considered all the latest cybersecurity trends and taken all the security measures, it is time to test the metal.
The best way to do that is by hiring a cybersecurity expert who can run a website audit. Cyber experts are experienced professionals who are well-versed with the latest technological changes and market shifts.
You can invite them every 3 months to assess your businesses’ capability to repel an attack.
They can also test the waters of your employees through brainstorming sessions.
So, timely audits will help keep your website, employees, and business in good shape.
To Conclude
Cybersecurity has become one of the biggest problems for businesses.
But small businesses cannot hire an in-house experienced cybersecurity professional due to a shortage of funds.
Unfortunately, today no business can claim that they cannot be compromised. Hackers are always on the lookout for websites that are poorly protected.
So, business owners cannot afford to cut losses on cybersecurity.
Creating data backups, equipping employees with the necessary cybersecurity information, installing an SSL certificate, managing passwords, choosing a quality web host, and timely software updates are all critical points to protect their website on a budget.
So, integrate these seven cybersecurity solutions into your website today.