Essential cybersecurity tips to protect your business

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Report by Mohammed Darwish

In our interconnected world, the spectre of malware hangs over businesses of every scale, making cybersecurity a pressing priority.

The General Directorate of Anti-Corruption & Economic & Electronic Security calls for taking preemptive actions to shield your organisation from digital threats. Here are key steps to shore up your cyber defences. First, maintaining up-to-date systems is critical.

Regular updates for your operating system and applications often include security patches that address vulnerabilities exploited by malware.

Turn on automatic updates where feasible and regularly check for essential security fixes. Ignoring these updates leaves your systems open to attacks.

Next, a well-configured firewall is a vital barrier, blocking unauthorised access and preventing malware infiltration.

Ensure your operating system’s built-in firewall is always turned on and restricts traffic based on your security policies.

This protective measure is indispensable.

Removable storage devices, such as USB drives, can unwittingly introduce malware. Enforce strict policies limiting their use and encourage secure, cloud-based storage solutions.

By controlling access to removable media, you mitigate the risk of malware spreading. Enhancing authentication through multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional security layer.

MFA requires users to provide extra verification, like a onetime code or biometric data, alongside their login credentials.

This method ensures that even if login details are compromised, your systems remain protected. Employee education is crucial.

Regular cybersecurity training equips your staff with the awareness to recognise and avoid potential threats, such as phishing attempts and suspicious downloads.

Vigilant employees can greatly reduce the likelihood of successful malware attacks.