Top 5 Affordable Cyber Security Solutions for Small Businesses

With the digital world being at the core of every business, finding strong & cost-effective cyber security protection is key. Here are 5 solutions that won't break the bank:

1. Security Awareness Training

Some will say a firewall is a business’s first line of defense. But what good is it if a user clicks on a link & lets the hacker come right through the front door? If trained properly, the everyday user is the first and strongest line of defense. But without proper training, they can also be the weakest link. Find an effective user training solution and, at a minimum, make it an annual requirement.

2.      Multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (or two-factor authentication) is just another way for a website or an app to verify that you are who you say you are. Multi-factor authentication comes in a few different forms, whether it be a push notification on your phone, a code that only you have access to, or even a text message or phone call (although those are now considered to be less secure). It’s become second nature to enter in a password to gain access to a computer at this point, multi-factor authentication needs to become second nature, as well.

3.      Administrative Policies

A boring term no one wants to hear, but a good cyber security policy can be the difference between having your data secure, and having a massive security vulnerability.  There are many things you can implement: a clean desk policy, strong email & password policies, & having locked computers when not in use.

4.      Phishing simulation tool

How can a business be sure that their security is robust and their users are prepared? One of the easiest ways to do that is with a phishing simulation test. A phishing simulation sends fake emails, that look like real ones, to your users. If the users click on a link or attachment in the email, nothing happens to the users computer, but a report gets sent back to you on all the users who clicked the suspicious link. Having regular phishing campaign tests is a great, cost effective way to keep your data and your users safe.

5.      Next-gen Anti-virus

Next-gen anti-virus differs from traditional anti-virus in the sense that all the protection, virus definitions, security updates, etc. all take place in the cloud. This is so our computer's local resources are not used up & the computer still works efficiently. Next-gen AV also continually monitors your device for suspicious activity, instead of just stopping something once it happens. It also allows for ransomware rollback, DNS and website filtering, device lockdown and much more. It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android devices.

Remember: Small businesses are often prime targets for cyber attacks due to their perceived lack of defenses. Cybersecurity doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. The right tools, combined with ongoing education and vigilance, can keep your business safe from many common threats.