In today's world, cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, and individuals and businesses need to take steps to improve their cyber resilience. Cyber resilience is the ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyber attacks. In this blog, we'll discuss three simple things you can do right now to improve your cyber resilience.
Strengthen your passwords
Passwords are the first line of defence against cyber attacks, yet many people still use weak passwords or reuse the same password across multiple accounts. This leaves them vulnerable to hackers who can easily guess or steal their passwords.
To improve your cyber resilience, it's important to strengthen your passwords. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information such as your name or date of birth in your password. And definitely avoid writing your password on a post-it note and leaving it on your desk!
It's also important to use different passwords for different accounts. This way, if one of your accounts is compromised, the hacker won't be able to access your other accounts.
Finally, consider using a password manager. A password manager is a tool that securely stores all of your passwords in one place. This way, you only need to remember one master password to access all of your accounts. Password managers can also generate strong, unique passwords for each account, making it even harder for hackers to guess or steal your passwords.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that requires you to provide two forms of identification to access your account. Typically, this involves entering your password and then entering a code that is sent to your phone or email.
Enabling 2FA is a simple yet effective way to improve your cyber resilience. Even if a hacker manages to steal or guess your password, they won't be able to access your account without the additional code.
Most major websites and services now offer 2FA, so it's easy to set up. Simply go to your account settings and look for the 2FA option. You'll usually be prompted to enter your phone number or email address, and then you'll receive a code to confirm your identity.
Keep your software and operating systems up to date
Patching is the process of updating your software and operating systems to fix security vulnerabilities. Hackers often target outdated software because it's easier to exploit. By keeping your software up to date, you can reduce the risks of a cyber attack.
Many software programs and operating systems now offer automatic updates, which makes the process even easier. If your software or operating system doesn't offer automatic updates, make sure to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available.
It's not just your computer software and operating systems that needs to be patched. Your mobile phone, tablet, and other devices also need to be kept up to date. Many mobile devices now offer automatic updates, but it's still a good idea to check for updates regularly to make sure you're protected.
Improving your cyber resilience doesn't have to be complicated. By following these three simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of a cyber attack. Strengthening your passwords, enabling 2FA, and keeping your software and operating systems up to date are all easy to do and can make a big difference.
Of course, these steps are just the beginning. There are many other things you can do to improve your cyber resilience, such as backing up your data, using antivirus software, and educating yourself about common cyber threats.
If you're interested in learning more about cyber resilience, there are many resources available that we can help you with. If you want more support, join WMCRC today! Our mission is simple, we exist to help businesses of all sizes (although we do have a focus on SMEs, micro-businesses, and sole traders) to protect themselves in the fight against cybercrime. You can also consider joining a cyber resilience programme, or going through Cyber Essentials, which can provide you with more in-depth knowledge and practical skills. With a small amount of effort, you can significantly improve your cyber resilience and protect yourself against cyber attacks.