When we do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for our business cyber security is pretty high up our list of risks. As accountants we hold a lot of confidential data of a personal and/or commercial nature so it is important that we do everything that we practically can to protect that data.
Having worked in the Disaster Recovery team during my stint in IT here are my top tips on cyber security:
- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
- Use a password keeper such as Onepass to store these so that they can be used on your different devices.
- Implement 2 factor authentication
- Don’t share accounts/software licences!
- Always use the latest version of your software and instal updates asap as these will include security updates
- Train your team on best practice
- Do not display your router password to casual visitors or on the router itself – this is a particular weakness for those of us who use cloud software
- Backup regularly and hold the data securely. Cloud software can help with this.
- Take extra care to look out for phishing attacks. Hover over senders’ email addresses and any links. Any HMRC/government links should end .gov.uk
- Delete access for former employees as soon as they leave.
I recommend getting CyberEssentials certified. Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-essentials-scheme-overview