Why Treating Your Passwords Like Your Underwear is Good Business Practice

Imagine if you treated your computer passwords like your underwear. It might sound funny, but this quirky analogy holds critical lessons for every small business. Here's why you should keep your passwords as private and fresh as your undergarments.

1. Change Them Regularly: Just like underwear, passwords should not be worn out. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report reveals that 81% of hacking-related breaches leverage stolen or weak passwords. Regularly updating your passwords can significantly lower the risk of unauthorized access.

2. Keep Them Private: Would you share your underwear? Hopefully not! Similarly, your passwords are deeply personal and should be kept confidential. Share them sparingly and only when necessary, ensuring that your business's sensitive information remains protected.

3. Don’t Leave Them Lying Around: Leaving your passwords on sticky notes or unsecured files is like leaving your underwear in the conference room—it's embarrassing and a security risk. Use a password manager to keep your passwords out of sight and secure.

4. Use a Strong, Unique Design: The best underwear has a comfortable fit and lasts longer; your passwords should be robust and unique too. Avoid common words and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to fortify them against attacks.

5. Clean Out the Old Ones: Just as you would discard old underwear, it’s important to eliminate old passwords, especially those tied to critical business accounts or former employees. Regular audits can help keep your password inventory fresh and functional.

Treating your passwords with the same care as your underwear lets your small business improve its cybersecurity posture, safeguarding against potential threats and breaches. This approach is simple, relatable, and, most importantly, effective in securing your digital assets.

Common Human Behaviors That Harm Cybersecurity

HUMANS!

Their behaviors are the worst!

Yet many small businesses overlook the human element, which can be the weakest link in their security chain. Here are some common behaviors that can jeopardize cybersecurity.

1. Using Weak Passwords: A staggering 81% of company data breaches are due to poor password practices. Simple passwords can be cracked in seconds, yet many users opt for convenience over complexity.

2. Clicking on Phishing Emails: Phishing attacks have increased by 65% in the last year, targeting unsuspecting employees who click on malicious links. These emails often appear legitimate, tricking users into giving away sensitive information.

3. Ignoring Software Updates: It’s tempting to hit 'remind me later' on updates, but this delays critical security enhancements. An unpatched software can be a goldmine for hackers, with 60% of breaches linked to a vulnerability where a patch was available but not applied.

4. Mismanaging Sensitive Information: Careless information handling can lead to serious breaches, whether leaving sensitive papers on desks or sharing passwords over insecure platforms.

5. Overlooking Employee Training: Human error accounts for 90% of cyber breaches. Regular training can drastically reduce this risk, yet many small businesses cut corners on cybersecurity education.

These behaviors threaten individual security and can have devastating effects on your business. Implementing stringent password policies, educating employees about phishing, keeping software updated, securely managing sensitive information, and investing in regular cybersecurity training can turn your employees from potential liabilities into robust defenses against cyber threats.

Need help? Schedule 15 minutes with us. Fifteen minutes today will save you a month of headaches.

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Cybersecurity on the Go: Protecting Your Small Business with Smart Mobile Practices

Mobile phones are not just tools for communication—they're essential devices for managing operations, financial transactions, and sensitive data, especially for small businesses.

However, the convenience of mobile phones comes with significant cybersecurity risks.

A recent study revealed that over 60% of cyber attacks target small to medium enterprises, with mobile breaches increasingly being the entry point.

The reason?

Smaller businesses often lack the stringent cybersecurity protocols that larger corporations might implement. This vulnerability makes it crucial for small business owners to adopt strong mobile security practices.

So, what can you do to safeguard your business?

• Use the latest devices and patched operating systems.

• Download and use apps you know and trust; eschew fad applications and developers you don’t recognize.

• Ensure all devices have robust, regularly updated security software. Update your apps frequently.

• Use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) Policy and/or a killswitch. This software should ideally include features such as remote wiping capabilities, which can delete data from a device if it's lost or stolen.

• Implementing a two-factor authentication (2FA) system can significantly decrease the risk of unauthorized access.

• Enable biometrics on the device for access control.

• Educating your team about the importance of secure mobile usage is vital. Simple steps such as avoiding public Wi-Fi for business transactions, regularly updating passwords, and encrypting sensitive data can make a big difference. Remember, the goal is not just to protect your data but also to maintain your clients' trust and your business's integrity.

• Lastly, consider a regular audit of your mobile cybersecurity measures. This can help identify potential vulnerabilities before they become a threat, ensuring your business remains protected as technology and cyber threats evolve.

By adopting these mobile security practices, small businesses can significantly mitigate the risks and stay secure in a digital-first world. Do you need help with MDM, 2FA/MFA, killswitches, or mobile best practices in general? Just schedule some time. Let’s talk about it!

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