4 Tips to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Small Businesses from Microsoft President Brad Smith

• 26 December, 2022
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Blog Introduction: In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is more important than ever for small businesses. With so many attacks happening every day, it’s essential to be as prepared as possible. During the Small Business Administration’s inaugural Cyber Summit, Microsoft president Brad Smith would look to spend 15 minutes learning about the organization’s vulnerabilities and examine what has, and has not, been addressed. “Unfortunately, small businesses are more of a target than they were five years ago,” Smith said. So how can we educate small businesses about how to become more resilient amid rising cybersecurity attacks? Below are 4 tips from Smith himself on how to do just that.

1. Keep software current

One of the best ways to protect your business from attacks is to keep your software up to date. Outdated software is one of the biggest vulnerabilities for businesses, so it’s important to set up automatic updates or reminders to manually update when new versions are available.

2. Tighten up your passwords

We’ve all heard it before, but it bears repeating, passwords are important! Make sure to use strong passwords that are a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. It’s also a good idea to change them regularly, at least every few months. And don’t forget about two-factor authentication – an extra layer of security that can go a long way in protecting your business.

3. Consider the cloud

When it comes to cybersecurity, the cloud can be a great option for small businesses. Cloud-based solutions are often more secure than on-premise solutions because they’re constantly being updated by the provider. Plus, you won’t have to worry about maintaining complex infrastructure or patching vulnerabilities yourself.

4. Use all available resources

There are many free resources available to help small businesses with cybersecurity. The SBA offers free webinars and downloadable resources, and there are also plenty of articles and blog posts (like this one!) with helpful tips. When it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is power – so make sure to take advantage of all the information that’s out there.

Cybersecurity is an important issue for all businesses, but especially small businesses who may not have the same resources as larger companies. By following the tips above from Microsoft president Brad Smith, you can help make your business more resilient against attacks. Keep your software up to date, use strong passwords, consider the cloud, and take advantage of all available resources – these are all great ways to help strengthen your business’s cybersecurity posture.