Cyber Security for Kiwi Businesses
Keeping your business secure has never been more important, you might think you're not a target due to the size of your business, but with 43% of cyber attacks directed towards small businesses, this isn't the case. No matter the size or type of business you run, you're still at risk.
What is cyber security?
Cyber security is all about protecting your systems, data and customers from a range of digital threats, including:
Hackers
Viruses
Phishing scams
Suspicious phone calls
Ransomware
Depending on what threat you're trying to counter, your methods of protection might look different. But at their core, cyber security is all about staying vigilant, up to date and taking protective measures. For phishing scams this might be implementing staff training on how to recognise a phishing email, for viruses and ransomware this might be implementing security software and ensuring your software is the most up to date version.
Why Cyber Security matters?
As a business, it's important to keep your business safe, not only to protect your business, but your customers, staff and your reputation. Why?
You handle sensitive data
The information you store or gather from your customers, suppliers and staff is all sensitive, things like customer contact information, payments, invoices and staff records are considered sensitive and a hacker or scammer could target your business to gain access to this information.
You use digital tools
While we're big supporters of using digital tools and software to make doing business easier, it can make you more vulnerable to. Making it even more important to choose a safe and secure provider, like Thryv, when looking at CRMs (Customer Relationship Management), email clients, cloud storage and booking systems to keep this information safe.
You have a reputation
As a business owner, cyber attacks or data breaches can have a negative impact on your business and can result in a loss of income, lower productivity, fines for non compliance and make it harder to keep or gain customers.
As a business owner, cyber attacks or data breaches can negatively impact you through loss of income, trust and low productivity, making it harder to keep or gain customers - not to mention the possibility of fines for non-compliance.
So, how can you protect your business from cybersecurity threats?
Luckily, you don't need to be a tech expert to protect your business from cybersecurity threats. Small, consistent steps can go a long way in deterring scammers from targeting your business. Here's a couple of easy wins:
Use two-factor authentication when logging into business software.
Keep antivirus software and systems updated.
Back up your data regularly.
Restrict access to sensitive information to only those who need it to limit the potential ways in.
Exercise caution when it comes to phone calls or emails requesting unusual information, putting pressure on you to take action.
Use strong secure passwords (and a password manager if you struggle to remember more complex passwords).
Educate your team on what scams can look like and what the different types are - they might be aware of email phishing, but vishing or invoice fraud.
Ready to dive deeper?
Take a look at some of our other blogs here for more tips on how to stay secure. We'd also recommend checking out some of the below resources!
Useful Resources
Looking for more ways to secure your business? We've only scratched the surface and there's many more ways to protect your business
Own Your Online - helps businesses analyse processes and identify two to improve them
CertNZ Protect Your Business Online - Top tips from Cert NZ on how to protect your business