8 Essential Cybersecurity Practices for Your Business

Introduction:

In today's digital landscape, businesses face an ever-increasing number of cybersecurity threats. To protect your company, it's essential to implement robust security measures to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the trust of your customers. This guide will walk you through eight key steps to secure your business, highlighting the importance of each measure and providing recommendations for implementing them.

Backup: Use Backblaze for Data Protection

Backing up your data is crucial to ensure you can recover from data loss or a cyberattack. We recommend using Backblaze, a cloud-based backup solution that offers unlimited storage, automatic backup, and strong encryption. At Unified IT, we understand the importance of data protection, which is why we include Backup + Disaster Recovery & Prevention in our most basic Tech Essentials plan for just $25 per user per month.

Passwords: Ensure Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account

Using strong, unique passwords for each account is vital to prevent unauthorized access. Aim for passwords with at least 12 characters, combining upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts, as this can lead to a domino effect if one account is compromised.

To manage your passwords, we recommend using a password manager like 1Password. We use 1Password ourselves because it helps generate strong, unique passwords and securely stores them, so you don't have to remember them all.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOIP)

Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Time-based one-time passwords (TOIP) are a popular 2FA method that requires users to input a temporary code generated on a separate device (usually a smartphone) when logging in. 1Password supports TOIP, making it an excellent choice for both password management and 2FA.

Device Management: Implement MDM and Limit Admin Access

To ensure secure device usage, consider implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) to control and monitor company devices. MDM allows you to enforce security policies, track devices, and remotely wipe data if necessary.

Additionally, limit administrative access to company devices by granting users non-admin access. This practice reduces the risk of malware installation and unauthorized changes to system settings.

Network Security: Protect Your Network Infrastructure

A secure network is essential for safeguarding your business data. Here are some measures to improve your network security:

• Use strong encryption for Wi-Fi networks and require strong passwords for access.
• Employ a firewall to control incoming and outgoing traffic.
• Regularly update routers and other network devices to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Segment your network to limit potential damage in case of a breach.

Secure Your Email Domain

Email is often a prime target for cybercriminals. Protect your email domain by implementing these measures:

• Use email authentication protocols, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, to prevent email spoofing.
• Implement 2FA for email access.
• Train employees on how to recognize and report phishing attempts.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training

Educate your employees about cybersecurity threats and best practices. Regular training sessions can help them identify and respond to potential threats, such as phishing emails, malware, and social engineering attacks. This training can be an integral part of reducing the likelihood of successful cyberattacks.

Consult with an Expert: Annual Security Assessments

It's essential to consult with cybersecurity experts to ensure your security measures are up to date and effective. Schedule annual security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and receive recommendations on how to address them. 


While there are hundreds of security measures you can take to protect your business, implementing the core steps outlined in this guide will put you ahead of most organizations. By focusing on data backup, strong passwords, 2FA, device management, network security, email domain protection, cybersecurity awareness training, and regular consultation with experts, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to cyberattacks.

If you need assistance implementing any of these strategies or want to further strengthen your security posture, our team at Unified IT is here to help. We offer hourly consulting services as well as fully managed IT solutions starting at just $25 per month. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and let us help you safeguard your business against the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity threats.