Over the past few years, many businesses and their employees have become accustomed to remote and hybrid work models. Unfortunately, the increased number of remote workers has created more opportunities for cybercriminals: Remote workers often have fewer security measures in place when working on their home networks than they would in the company office.

Small businesses are certainly not immune to cyberattacks — almost half (42%) of small businesses fell victim to cyberattacks last year. However, good cyber hygiene habits can help prevent or mitigate an attack. Here are a few cybersecurity best practices to keep in mind:

Educate Your Team

Education is key to addressing the human element of cybersecurity. Raising user awareness of cyber dangers should be a priority for all businesses. Cybersecurity training is most effective as an ongoing effort, ideally combining in-person sessions, online courses, and awareness campaigns with email reminders and posters. Topics to cover should include the following:

• Identify and avoid suspicious emails. This will help users avoid phishing attempts with URLs or attachments programmed to download malware into your network.
• Set and enforce strong password policies. Teach users to develop strong passwords or passphrases, implement procedures to change passwords frequently, and prohibit password sharing.
• Set browsers to warn users when visiting a site flagged as containing malware.
• Block downloads from suspicious or unsanctioned sources.
• Prohibit users from sharing company-owned laptops and mobile devices.
• Teach users not to access sensitive company data through public WiFi networks.

Enact Common Sense Policies

Technology alone cannot guarantee the security of a company’s data. Common sense policies must support user education. If you train users and do nothing to enforce security rules, chances are users will fall back on bad habits that can lead to a breach.

Security policies are multi-dimensional. Password policies are a good starting point, but businesses must address who gets access to which systems. Employees should be granted permission only to those systems they need to do their jobs. Organizations also need rules on whether employees can use their own mobile devices for work (BYOD). If so, those devices should be monitored and secured with endpoint protection, encryption, and wipe capability in case of loss or theft.

Set a Strategy

End users are often the weak points that enable cybersecurity breaches, but educating your employees is only part of the battle. Understanding the threats and what cybercriminals are after is essential to building strong cybersecurity defenses. Knowing your enemies gives you a better chance to defeat them. In addition to user education, here are some other crucial components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that will grow with you:

• Implement advanced tools: Businesses need a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity and should consider implementing a combination of tools that includes an antivirus program, firewall, and network security solutions that proactively protect all devices connected to your network.
• Invest in expertise: It's hard to fully grasp cybersecurity without expert help. Working with a managed security services provider (MSSP) is the best bet for smaller companies, though even businesses with in-house experts can benefit from tapping a provider.
• Secure mobile devices: As computing becomes more mobile and cloud-based, companies must include mobile devices in their security strategies or risk leaving a door open to cyber attackers.

Whether it’s costly malware, ransomware, bots, or a phishing attempt, small businesses need to implement cybersecurity measures that include antivirus programs, firewalls, and network security solutions that proactively help protect all devices connected to your network. See how Comcast Business SecurityEdge™ can help protect the Internet-connected devices that employees and guests use every day.

Get more insights, advice, and best practices to protect your business here.