Protecting Your Business from Cyberattacks

General, IT Leadership

Written by

David McBride

Published on

August 21, 2024

With cyber threats on the rise, so are new cybersecurity measures. Keeping a pulse on the latest innovations in cybersecurity is an excellent way for your business to increase its security.

Here are a few critical ways to enhance your business’s cybersecurity.

Invest in AI

AI and machine learning are being used increasingly to detect and mitigate cybersecurity threats. As cybercriminals continue to use AI more frequently to conduct their attacks, using AI to bolster your defenses is critical for businesses. 

AI can detect and defend faster than humans when an attack occurs. It does this by analyzing and monitoring your network traffic to identify the threat sooner. There are two main ways businesses can use AI in their cybersecurity plans:

  • Integrate AI with existing infrastructure to generate faster response times when attacks occur
  • Use AI as a proactive defense measure to deter cybercriminals from targeting your business

Stay Up-to-Date

Did you know that up to 85% of some cyberattacks can be prevented by regularly updating your software and systems? Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to access your network. In fact, cyber criminals specifically develop programs to identify vulnerable systems. For example, simply connecting Windows XP to the internet in 2024 results in successful attacks within 10 minutes.

Your business’s IT team should have a specific cadence for implementing software and system updates, as well as prioritizing security patches. The longer your systems run on out-of-date software, the more at risk your business will be to cyber threats. For some software, that means implementing updates daily, while others may only need updates a few times per year. An effective way to stay up-to-date across your entire system is to create an update schedule or calendar to ensure that no updates are being missed and every system is secure. 

Have A Cybersecurity Insurance Policy

It’s true that the best way to manage your cybersecurity landscape is to be proactive. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan in place in case there’s a successful attack against your business. Alongside data backup & recovery systems and planning, having cybersecurity insurance helps protect your business from financial loss. 

Cybersecurity insurance can cover the expenses that occur from a cyberattack, including legal fees and notification expenses. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), more businesses are turning to cybersecurity insurance as a safety net for their business. 

To ensure your business gets the coverage it needs, review your needs and find a cybersecurity insurance policy that meets them.

Partnering with an Expert

For superior support in everything from implementing the latest innovations to making sure your business has the best safety net in place, it’s essential that you work with an IT expert. Working with a team of experienced IT personnel will advance your cybersecurity and reduce the amount of risk your business will face. 99Ten is dedicated to providing our partners with ultimate IT support that focuses on creating a proactive environment to fight cyber threats and enhancing your overall IT ecosystem. To get started with us, book a discovery to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your IT systems.