Just because you’ve implemented security protocols for your company network doesn’t guarantee the safety of your critical information. As technology evolves, so do the various ways in which cyber criminals can hack into your network and steal your data—with devastating consequences to your company’s financial well-being. The message is simple: never take your safeguards for granted, and always be on the alert against data theft. Continually ensure that your current security procedures are up-to-date and tested so your employees can utilize and deploy your business information securely onsite and offsite. Here are five proactive measures you can take to keep you one step ahead of cyber thieves.

1)     Provide Security Instruction to Employees

Update security procedures on a regular basis. Through training, inform them how to recognize threats to email and social media communication, and to avoid suspicious downloads that can harm your computer network. Advise them on how to create effective and safe passwords, and make sure they comply with all security measures.

2)     Protect Data in Case of Disaster

Being prepared will help you maintain your business operations in the event of a disaster or online attack. Make sure you have a solid data backup plan in place in the event of loss of power, file corruption, server failure or data breach. Backup strategies should be multi-faceted integrating both on premise and cloud solutions.

3)     Reduce Offsite Threats

The same mobile technology that lets your employees access important data while working outside the office is also vulnerable to savvy cyber criminals. Minimize the danger by encrypting your business data, instituting password protection policies, and guarding against unauthorized downloads.

4)     Conduct Regular Security Updates

Your best defense against security threats is to be prepared. Conduct network and backup security tests in addition to regular patch management, email filtering and antivirus. New threats happen daily and it is imperative that updates and patches happen regularly.

5)     Make Sure Your Software is Up-to-Date

Running outdated software can open your company up to serious vulnerability. In many cases, older versions of software are not secure and cannot protect you against the newer sophisticated virus that are rampant.

Taken together, these measures will dramatically increase your security and reduce your vulnerability to cyber threats