Cybersecurity is extremely important in the workplace, as it can help protect employees’ personal information and company data. When operating a business, it is critical to ensure that your employees are practicing internet safety, especially when using company networks and devices.
You should provide your team with the tools they need to protect themselves from cybercrime, educate them on best practices for internet safety, and implement a company-wide internet safety policy. Through these processes, you are taking action to ensure that they are equipped to make decisions that will secure your company data.
Tips for Internet Safety in the Workplace
Some key items for staying safe online include the following measures:
Use Strong Passwords
Make sure your passwords are strong and unique, and don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. Consider using a secure password management software that will aid in creating secure passwords and keep track of them on your behalf.
Keep your Software Up to Date
Make sure you have the latest security updates installed on your computer and update your software regularly. This is an important step because cybercriminals are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in software that they can exploit. By keeping your software up to date, you can make it much more difficult for them to succeed.
Utilize Antivirus Software
Many software vendors provide security features that can help protect your computer against cyber-attacks. For example, Microsoft has a feature called Windows Defender that can help protect your computer from malware and other attacks. However, for business use, it is recommended that you work with a cybersecurity expert to implement a stronger security plan that is tailored to your specific industry and compliance requirements.
Be Wary of Phishing Attacks
Phishing Attacks are executed through emails or websites that try to trick you into giving up your personal information. Be suspicious of any emails or links that seem too good to be true, and never enter your personal information into a website that you don’t trust. We have created an entire blog post dedicated to identifying and preventing phishing scams within your workplace.
Stay Away From Questionable Websites
Avoid visiting websites that look suspicious or that you don’t trust. These websites may contain malware or other types of cybersecurity threats, which are often transmitted to your devices or networks through malicious ads or downloaded files.
Use a VPN When Browsing the Internet
A VPN (virtual private network) is a tool that helps protect your privacy online by encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address. Essentially, by using a VPN, you can create an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VPN server. This tunnel prevents attackers from being able to see your traffic or steal your data. This can help keep your data safe from hackers and other cybersecurity threats. Additionally, a VPN can help protect you against man-in-the-middle attacks. These attacks occur when an attacker intercepts your traffic and tries to decrypt it in order to steal your data. A VPN can help protect against these attacks by encrypting your traffic and making it difficult for the attacker to decrypt.
Create an Internet Safety Policy for Your Company and Enforce It
Having an internet safety policy in place can help protect your organization from cyberattacks because it ensures that all employees are aware of the risks associated with using the internet and how to protect company data and devices when working online. Typically, this document will provide guidelines on how your team should be utilizing the internet at work, which helps to cut back on scenarios that expose your networks and devices to potential threats. Additionally, by restricting employee access to certain websites and applications, you can help prevent sensitive data from being stolen or compromised.
Engage a Security-Centric MSP
Consider engaging a security-centric IT service provider that can implement more robust security measures to protect your company devices and networks. These providers have extensive cybersecurity knowledge and expertise that allows them to develop the most effective security solutions for your business.
How to Create an Internet Safety Policy for Your Business
Your workplace internet safety policy should outline the rules and regulations for using the internet while at work and include information on staying safe online in the workplace. This internet safety policy should be implemented and enforced company-wide. Here are some tips for creating an one for your business:
- Establish clear rules and regulations for using the internet. Your internet safety policy should state what is and isn’t allowed while employees are online. For example, you may want to prohibit employees from accessing personal social media accounts during work hours, or from downloading unauthorized software.
- Make sure your employees understand and agree to the internet safety policy. It’s important that everyone in your company knows about the policy and understands what is expected of them. You may want to hold training sessions to discuss the policy and answer any questions employees may have.
- Enforce the internet safety policy. Once you have an internet safety policy in place, you need to make sure it’s enforced. This means disciplining employees who break the rules and ensuring everyone follows the guidelines set forth in the policy. We offer a free template for creating an internet safety policy that can help you get started with this process.
Cybersecurity is of utmost importance in the workplace, as it can help protect employees’ personal information and company data. In order to keep your business safe, you should have a cybersecurity plan in place, starting with basic online safety protocols and a company-wide internet safety policy. Employees should be aware of the dangers of cybersecurity threats and how to protect themselves online. By educating your employees on the best practices for internet safety and implementing an internet safety policy, your business can stay safe from cyberattacks.
Need Computer Help offers a variety of cybersecurity services and can customize these services based on your needs. Contact us today for a free IT and cybersecurity assessment.