How to Protect Your Business from Cybercrime

Hubert Day, Content Producer and Researcher

Article for Thomas Murray Global Risk Intelligence

Posted 4/4/2024

In the rapidly evolving modern business world, cybersecurity has become a crucial part of any successful company’s foundation. As technology advances, so do the threats to digitally stored information.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the ways in which they attempt to steal sensitive data and disrupt business operations, so it’s important to stay a step ahead with thorough cybersecurity training and measures. Whether you operate a small business or are part of a large industry such as pulp and paper, mining, or food and beverage manufacturing, cyber threats can cause severe damage to your digital infrastructure and have severe consequences.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can protect your plant, mill, or mine from cybercrime.

Prioritize Data Confidentiality

Large industries, such as manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare rely heavily on maintenance services to keep them up and running. Efficient maintenance operations require data-driven processes to maintain their efficiency. With the increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) programs, cloud computing and smart technologies, the potential for cyber threats to penetrate the internal networks of your business has increased significantly.

Ensuring that you invest in robust cybersecurity software will help to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks and protect against unauthorized access, data breaches and other malicious activity. Implementing encryption and access controls can further secure your communication channels and protect the confidentiality of your data. For businesses which store public information, this is essential not only for GDPR laws but also to maintain the integrity of your company.

Invest in Cybersecurity Training

Employee cybersecurity training is an indispensable step on the path to maximum cybersecurity. Human error remains a significant factor in security breaches, so educating employees on best practices and how to recognize signs of malicious activity is essential. The faster your company can recognize and react to a cyberattack, the less money you’ll lose. Focus on a clear, uniform approach to cybersecurity throughout your organization so that everyone is on the same page.

Every employee, from CEO to plant manager to tradesperson, should be able to recognize the signs of suspicious activity on their devices, from potential phishing emails to unauthorized apps. Antivirus software should be installed across all business devices, and staff should be educated on protecting their personal devices – especially if they use them to access company accounts when working from home.

Proactively Defend Against Cyberattacks

The continuous running of your plant, mill, or mine depends on the seamless functioning of your internal infrastructure, in which cybersecurity plays a vital role. Quick-acting defenses are necessary to prevent disruption to your services caused by cyberattacks, which can range from ransomware attacks to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

To boost your defenses, implementing powerful cybersecurity measures is a priority. Prevention is far better than trying to find a cure, especially when it comes to cyber threats which can result in substantial losses in terms of both reputation and profit. Run regular security checks and assessments and create thorough incident response plans to ensure the resilience of your operations.

In large industries, cybersecurity must comply with regulatory standards, which offer maximum protection of sensitive information. Be sure to adhere to these standards vigorously to both avoid legal repercussions and foster a responsible culture within your organization.

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How to Protect Your Business from Cybercrime