As a startup founder, you will want to enterprise from anything that can impede its growth and erode its reputation. Aside from securing its financial health, it’s also crucial to improve its cybersecurity situation. With the emergence of machine learning, cybercriminals are developing more sophisticated ways to steal data and profit from your startup’s vulnerabilities. It’s high time to put your best foot forward in propping up your defenses against such risks as ransomware and social engineering.
Then again, for someone who has limited experience in cybersecurity, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of time and resources it takes to improve your security posture. Added to that is the fact that you may not be able to keep up with the latest threats as they emerge. Still, investing in effective cybersecurity is worth every cent and second you put into it. So long as you take the right steps and make the right decisions, your startup can steer clear of hazards as it grows.
1. Understand what threats you prepare for
To begin with, you need to have a thorough understanding of the cybersecurity threats you will be dealing with. Keeping track of the latest tactics employed by cybercriminals allows you to focus on improving certain aspects of your startup you think are most vulnerable to such threats. Currently, startups are a prime target for phishing attacks which exploit their desire to network with potential investors.
Unreliable third-party vendors and service providers are also a source of data breaches, especially if they insist on having you share sensitive data with them. Ransomware and malware remain credible threats, so using the right tools and approaches to reduce your startup’s exposure is important. There are lots more you should prepare for so stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity news and act accordingly.
2. Conduct a security audit and assess your weaknesses
After learning about the most common threats startups like yours will have to deal with, you need to check your internal network if it’s capable of addressing potential risks. A cybersecurity audit enables you to uncover vulnerabilities that should be improved and check whether your defenses are outdated by current standards.
An audit can also help you set up everything else that’s needed to beef up your defenses, from setting access control protocols and ensuring that your startup complies with data privacy regulations such as HIPAA and PCI. It helps if you could use compliance templates and checklists to perform an internal audit but you can also choose to hire a third-party service to do the job for you.
3. Train and empower your staff
No matter how small an operation you run, you need to understand the serious effects that cases of human error may inflict on your startup. Effective cybersecurity isn’t just a matter of setting up firewalls and using data encryption to protect transactions. Much of it is making sure your startup partners and employees understand the role they play in reducing your enterprise’s vulnerabilities.
With this in mind, consider organizing regular training sessions that will equip everyone with the means to detect phishing attempts and improve the way they secure internal logins. Moreover, set clear policies and protocols that can help create an environment of transparency and accountability that prevents insider attacks and aids investigations.
4. Monitor and calibrate your processes
The fact that you have improved your cybersecurity posture doesn’t guarantee that your startup will remain impenetrable to the latest threats. It’s a dire mistake to assume you’ve already done everything essential to stay up-to-date. Complacency will cost you dearly so it’s crucial to always monitor what’s going on within your systems and ensure everyone is doing their part.
As your startup grows, your defenses will thin out, requiring regular audits and improvements to keep up with the latest data security and privacy trends. To help you with this, a dedicated IT team is crucial in paving the way for your startup to expand.
Online threats abound and your startup needs to prepare for anything that comes its way. Use these cybersecurity tips to enhance your defenses and give your startup a fighting chance.
