Launching a startup these days is not as hard as it was just a decade ago. There are lots of funds you can tap into if you have a brilliant business idea. However, while businesses have more opportunities to boom, implement market research, and extend their digital reach, the virtual world presents an array of problems. One of the most significant battles for every company is to make sure that their service is free of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
Every business, no matter the size or budget, is exposed to such risks. A cyberattack can wreak havoc and cause you to close your doors before you fully develop your business idea and penetrate the target market.
Today, we are exploring various security options that can help you run a tight startup operation without worrying about external forces affecting your work.
1. Antivirus.
Antivirus solutions for businesses are widely used and are not that expensive as they used to be. Even startups and small companies should be able to afford such software. However, there are dozens of antivirus solutions on the market. So, before choosing the program for your company, do some research to determine which option is the best for you.
Antivirus tools are built to protect you from various attacks. They will secure your hardware and software from getting infected by viruses. Modern antivirus programs also provide several layers of protection against online threats. You will also benefit from protection against phishing attacks. You never know when some of your employees may click on a malicious link. Having an antivirus solution enabled 24/7 will keep you safe from these threats. As a bonus, you will be able to block spam sites and ads.
2. VPN Services.
VPN services have become popular due to the ever-growing privacy concerns. Additionally, the geo-restrictions imposed by various online services prompted people to mask their IP addresses. Many users apply virtual private networks to bypass these restrictions and get access to their favorite content. But VPN services offer so much more than that. It is one of the best affordable security solutions for businesses on the market. It encrypts all your internet traffic and makes it nearly impossible for anyone to decrypt it and misuse it.
Hence, while a business VPN is an option for every company, a personal VPN will help you tackle geo-restriction, online tracking, personalized ads, and more. For instance, security with Atlas VPN is a budget-friendly option for all users who want to protect their digital identity. So, while a startup can require employees to use a VPN for work, they should also encourage them to protect personal online activities as well.
3. Firewall.
You never know when your IT infrastructure can become a target of cybercriminals. It only takes one unregulated port to invite hackers to steal your confidential and sensitive data. That’s why many security experts advise business owners to invest in a firewall.
The firewall brings many benefits to the table. First of all, you will be able to regulate the entire inbound and outbound internet traffic. You get to control every packet exchanged between the computers in your network and packets exchanged with the world wide web. Firewall can detect suspicious packages and connections and block them to prevent your computers from transmitting or downloading something malicious. A firewall can detect keyloggers and block them out as well.
4. Cloud Services.
Many startups are struggling with the budget, especially at the beginning. If your budget cannot sustain you investing in cybersecurity solutions, there are other options. Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular, with companies choosing to hold their resources in such forms. For instance, a list by DevCom researchers provides an inclusive review of the best cloud services available to startups. How does this count as a security solution? The renowned companies in the software-as-a-service industry use powerful solutions to keep their servers safe.
If you decide to use these services, you can rest assured that your sensitive data stands behind multiple layers of protection, including firewall and antivirus. These companies also regularly update their security tools to keep the servers protected from the latest exploits and hacks. On a side note, they regularly update their databases. If anything happens to your data, you will be able to get it back.
5. BYOD Policy.
BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. BYOD is a common practice in the startup industry. It enables startups to save money by allowing employees to use their personal hardware. However, if you let your employees use their smartphones, tablets, USB drives, and laptops on your business network, you are taking a huge risk. Some of their devices may be already infected or running on outdated operating systems. According to Forcepoint recommendations, you need to set specific rules for the employees to ensure that BYOD does not compromise your security. Some of the most important aspects your policy should address include:
- The types of approved devices
- Must-have security tools installed on devices (antivirus, VPNs, firewalls)
- Strict data ownership policies
- User permissions for accessing, viewing, and editing files
