The Top 2024 Cybersecurity Tips for Online Businesses

cyber - image courtesy of Pete Linforth from Pixabay
image courtesy of Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Written by Linda Hohnholz

Would you ever leave the back door to your brick-and-mortar business open during the overnight hours? What would happen in the event that a local retailer suddenly felt that the need for an on-site alarm was no longer relevant?

This very same establishment would become the target of various real-world threats. The same holds true when discussing the ever-changing world of online e-commerce. What steps can you take that will ultimately serve to safeguard your venture from digital threats? Let’s take a look at a handful of the latest approaches.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence



Artificial intelligence (AI) is often discussed when analysing the latest chatbot advancements and programs such as GPT. However, did you know that it is also possible to work with a professional website builder offering AI capabilities? Not only will this streamline the design process, but advanced security algorithms are excellent in terms of the extra level of safety that they are capable of providing. Users will not even need to possess extensive knowledge of coding to leverage such unique opportunities.

Employ a Secure Email Server



A recent news report highlighted just how far online cybercrime has come over the past few years. Following the CrowdStrike IT incident, hackers have begun exploiting vulnerabilities yet to be patched. One method involves sending emails to unsuspecting victims; claiming that they represent airline companies offering a refund. Consumers are then asked for personal details, and unsurprisingly, these details will become compromised. One way to thwart this risk is to use a secure email server that is solely dedicated to your business operations. These are extremely efficient at detecting suspicious activities.

Never Skimp on Site Updates



A independent survey of seven million websites conducted by security provider SiteLock found that, on average, sites are exposed to approximately 94 attacks daily. Only one successful attempt will cause your ongoing operations to grind to a halt. This is why always updating your site when prompted is critical. These upgrades are intended to address internal vulnerabilities that might otherwise compromise sensitive proprietary information (such as the payment details of a customer).

Employee Education



It is currently estimated that more than 58 per cent of businesses have at least one employee who works remotely. The problem here is that these very same individuals must be made aware of ongoing cybersecurity threats. This will enable them to take the appropriate steps (such as using two-factor authentication, and reporting any abnormalities to the appropriate IT department). As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes even more integrated into countless business models, there is little doubt that hackers will attempt to exploit organisations that fail to keep employees “in the loop” at all times.

Note that the observations mentioned here are not intended to scare business owners. They should instead be used as proverbial wake-up calls so that a proactive stance can be adopted. The fact that enterprises are constantly migrating into the digital ecosystem likewise signals that cyber criminals are likely to become even more innovative, so keeping ahead of the curve is vital.

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