Covid-19 changed the world we live in. Most things that were earlier available physically are now available online. Employees enjoy working remotely, and companies save on resources. Consequently, there have been more online startups in recent years than ever.
While all this seems promising from the outside, it isn’t as such. As most of the world’s business is now online, cyber threats are increasing alarmingly. And for hackers, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a startup or an enterprise.
This article will tell you how you can protect your online startup from cyber-attacks and the impact it can leave if you ignore the security of your digital startup.
The Impact of Cyber Attacks on Your Digital Startup
How do I secure my startup? Before you ask this question to yourself, pause for a second and think about why you need to secure a startup. How will it affect your business?
On a surface level, you already know digital security is essential. But you might be ignorant or wrongly perceive that your online startup won’t get hacked. But what if you get attacked?
Here are a few grievous impacts that a cyber-attack can leave:
~ Your startup may go bankrupt before even flying.
~ The company’s public information might get public.
~ Your customer might lose trust in you.
~ Your startup website or app may get hacked.
7 Simple Ways to Secure Your Online Startup from Cyber Attacks
43% of attacks target small businesses, as per an article published on Forbes. And you already know the unfortunate impact it can have on your business. Here are a few ways to secure your online startup now:
1. Password Discipline
Perhaps this is the most straightforward method to deploy and also the most common reason for cyber-attacks. Compromised passwords, human error, or employee mismanagement can cause your digital startup to fall.
Therefore, promote a discipline to have strong passwords and ask them to store securely. Browsers aren’t exactly the safest place to store your passwords.
2. VPN
Your online startup works on the Internet.
What if, instead of directly connecting to a website, your connection gets enabled through a 3rd party server? And that server encrypts the transmitting data?
That’s what a VPN (a virtual private network) does. Moreover, VPN also increases your anonymity and protects you from the prying eyes of potential hackers or your ISP. You can download a free web VPN using the Chrome extensions library. For example, VeePN provides a free online VPN browser.
3. 2FA
Two-factor authentication (also known as multi-factor authentication) is another easy step that can strengthen your digital startup’s security. By deploying this method, hackers can not get into the system even if they have the password.
You can deploy the OTP system or use an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator to secure your digital assets.
4. Educate
Another easy but vital step to secure your startup is to educate. Spread the awareness about cybersecurity with the people you’re growing your startup with.
Promote good password hygiene, illustrate how ignorance can sink your startup ship, and guide them to use strong, secure phrases as passwords. Don’t share unnecessary privileges with freelancers and employees who work with you. And ask them to change their password regularly.
Further, you can also put a bug bounty program in place for employees if your startup has grown. So, when a digital seems compromised or vulnerable, they can inform you and bag up their prize.
5. Penetration Testing
If budget allows, run penetration testing (or testing for vulnerabilities) every six months or so. There are security companies that provide such services.
It will help you find any bug or vulnerability in your digital assets and solve it under a professional’s guidance.
6. Hide Software Name and Versions
If your digital asset gets public, for example, your website, we strongly suggest hiding technology names and versions it runs on. For instance, your site may be on WordPress. Some software apps can identify the version of WordPress your website is on.
And since WordPress is an open-source platform, they can easily find vulnerabilities and get into the backend of your site. Consequently, they may demand ransom or steal vital information about your business.
Talk to your tech expert about how you can do that. And hide this unnecessary info to strengthen your online startup security.
7. Keep Softwares Updated
It’s obvious and almost impossible to run a digital startup without the help of software tools. Whether you’re using Slack for communicating with your remote employees or Adobe XD to design sites, you must keep your software up to date.
The reason? No version of any software is fully secure. And developers keep patching these security vulnerabilities as soon as they are recognized. In the process, new software versions get rolled out. Therefore, you should keep your software updated.
Conclusion
By now, you know, even online startups are at risk of getting hacked or becoming victims of cyber-attacks. And how it can impact your startup and leave grave outcomes if treated lightly.
Using the ways described in the article, you can secure your online startup and do meaningful work.
