Today’s special - 7 things you can do to help your business fend off cyber criminals

With the nature of restaurants, café’s, pubs and bars being fast-paced with large customer numbers, cyber security has actually never been more important. Whilst cyber security may not be a priority previously, it is something businesses need to have higher on their agenda.

Over the last 18 months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, food outlets, café’s and restaurants have had to change the way they do business, this has included introducing online takeaway facilities for many.

With this, businesses like these have been collecting more customer information such as credit card details, email addresses and telephone numbers when confirming bookings or when a customer connects to the premises wi-fi hotspot.

Cyber criminals are aware of the value of this data and that usually cyber security is an afterthought as owners are more focused on the day-to-day running of the business and are keeping an eye on costs. If they are able to obtain this type of information, a cyber criminal can use it for fraudulent activities, or to access funds.

So, how can you reduce your risk of a cyber attack?

• Ensure any company devices use a private company network and public devices use a guest network. Keep devices on separate networks.

• Ensure your operating systems are running the latest operating systems.

• Educate your employees on phishing messages and ensure they know what do if one is accidentally clicked.

• Make sure your third-party vendors such as payroll suppliers, loyalty programme providers or food delivery service providers are following adequate cyber security measures preferably the Cyber Essentials scheme.

• Make sure your third party vendors that are processing or have access to consumer payment data are compliant with The Payment Card Industry Security Standard (PCI).

• Ensure your password is a mix of 3 random words and store them securely using a password manager, not written on a napkin next to the till.

• Use a firewall to keep malware infected devices from infecting others on your network. For example your back-office computer doesn’t need to communicate with the payment card reader, keeping them on separate networks will help in preventing malware reaching all your devices.

If you have found these tips useful, why not become a member of the SECRC and receive regularly tips and tricks like this?

Businesses in the South East can sign up for a free membership online and receive a welcome pack full of practical resources and tools that will help you identify your risks and vulnerabilities and the steps you can take to increase your levels of protection. Through your membership, you will also get regular updates on new threats, designed to help you stay safer.

The businesses currently supported range from micro businesses through to large organisations, as no business is too small or large to be of interest to cyber criminals.

Take a look on our website, www.secrc.co.uk/membership.