Cyberattacks happen every single day, and small to mid-sized businesses are prime targets. Criminals are constantly looking for ways to steal money, data, and customer information. The good news? With the right cybersecurity tips for businesses, you can lower your risk and protect your business from fraud.
Here are simple steps you and your employees can take every day to stay ahead of the criminals.
Make Cyber Safety Everyone’s Job
- Train employees on common scams, like suspicious emails or fake links.
- Require strong passwords and set up two-factor authentication.
- Remind your team: your business is only as safe as its weakest link.
Control Who Has Access
- Give employees access only to the information they need for their role.
- Keep an updated list of who has access to sensitive data.
- Review and adjust permissions when job duties change.
Keep Work Computers Clean
- Limit the ability to download outside software.
- Use one computer strictly for business banking to lower the risk of email hacks and unsafe browsing.
- Install and regularly update antivirus protection.
Stay Updated
- Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, browsers, and apps.
- Updates often include important security fixes—don’t skip them.
Back Up Your Data
- Regularly back up important files.
- Store backups in a separate location or offline device.
- Test your recovery plan so you’re prepared if data is lost.
Pause Before You Click
- Don’t click on suspicious links in emails, texts, ads, or social media.
- When in doubt, delete it—better safe than sorry.
Partner with Your Bank
- Ask about tools such as Positive Pay, multi-person approval processes, and fraud alerts.
- These services can stop unauthorized transactions before they cause damage.
- Colony Bank’s Business Solutions offers tools to help you protect your business from fraud threats. Reach out to us today to learn more.
Watch for Red Flags
- Pay attention to unusual account activity, pop-ups, or unexpected emails.
- If something feels off, stop online activity and call your bank immediately.
- Keep a record of what happened—it helps with quick recovery.
Protecting your business from scams is an ongoing effort. With employee awareness, smart practices, and the right banking safeguards, you can significantly reduce the risks.
At Colony Bank, we’re here to help. Talk with a local banker about fraud protection tools that fit your business needs.
