E-mail is now a basic form of communication be it in our personal or work life. However, it can also be our weak link in the cyber world. The escalating complexity of cyber threats only means that your email security has to be strengthened. Surveying 750 IT decision-makers, 95% said that they find modern cyber threats to be more difficult to contend with, and 51% faced threats incorporating AI. As such, efforts in cybersecurity in companies must include preemptively locking of emails. This will remove potential threats, preserve confidentiality, and guarantee the reliability of messages. Here are some steps you can take to improve the current outlook for email security:

Cybersecurity in Companies Effective Ways to Improve Email Security (2)

Cybersecurity in Companies Effective Ways to Improve Email Security (2)

Improve Cybersecurity in Companies By Strengthening Your Passwords

Password is the first shield of your email account. However, a poor password puts your account in greater danger of getting hacked. To protect your emails, make sure you develop complicated difficult passwords that cannot be easily cracked.

Create Strong, Complex, and Unique Passwords

A good password should be at least 10 characters long and include symbols, figures, numbers, capital and small letters. Although tempting, using personal information, such as your name and birthdate, would be easy to crack for attackers. Likewise, re-using passwords, although easy to remember, also ensures that multiple accounts can be accessed once a hacker cracks one password. Ergo, it is explicitly discouraged. 

Use a Password Manager

Given the requirements in creating a password, it is quite challenging to deal with them and even more difficult to remember. Hence, a password manager can be useful. This tool not only creates a random password for you, it also stores passwords safely for every account created. This tool will help to improve cybersecurity in companies and protect email systems from attacks.

Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Added Layer of Cybersecurity in Companies

Having a 2FA or two-factor authentication of your email adds an extra layer of security to your email. This means that if your password is stolen or guessed, the hacker would still be unable to access your account. It would need a second factor, sent through your phone or authenticator app. Likewise, it would alert you that someone else is trying to break into your system.

Choosing a 2FA Method

Typically, 2FA is implemented utilizing code, via SMS, a dedicated software application, or a hardware token. SMS codes send the code to your phone number, authenticator apps generate a code to your phone based on time. Hardware tokens are physical devices that generate for accounts the necessary codes. You should select the method that is most suitable for your kind of environment.

Set Up 2FA on All Accounts

Always check that 2FA is on the email accounts you use. Enabling 2FA is a process that might not take more than five minutes but it will greatly help in preventing unauthorized login. This step is indispensable for enhancing cybersecurity in companies and especially in the industries that work with personal information.

Be Cautious of Email Attachment and Links for Better Cybersecurity in Companies

The hackers use short URLs, photos and other attachments to deliver malware or set up a phishing attack. One has to be careful of all email attachments or links to avoid various breaches.

Verify the Sender’s Identity

First of all, when an email is received, one should check whether it’s sent by a friend or any other known person. Also, try to verify authenticity even if the sender seems familiar. If the content is very urgent or important, get in touch with the sender through another medium first to countercheck .

Scan Attachments with Antivirus Software

Speaking of attachments, always run an email attachment through an anti-virus checker before opening. Most web interfaces for mail clients have rudimentary scan capabilities. If possible, get your own scanning software, especially if you are looking to increase the security of your corporation.

Cybersecurity in Companies Effective Ways to Improve Email Security2

Cybersecurity in Companies Effective Ways to Improve Email Security2

Keep Your Email Software Updated to Ensure Strong Cybersecurity in Companies

Let’s keep the email software updated. An outdated software makes it easy for a hacker to access your system. Software upgrades tend to be released to cover vulnerabilities in the system. For instance, there may be added protective code modifications to enhance security.

You can opt to set the updates automatically so you don’t have to think about it. However, as much as auto-update is convenient, it is not advisable to be overly dependent on it. It is still safer to check and do the update manually, every now and then. This is in case of a possible failure of the auto-update feature.

Encrypt Sensitive Emails

Encryption makes it impossible or very hard for anybody other than the recipient to access the contents of your emails. Hene, it also provides another useful layer of protection in the armor of cybersecurity in companies. This especially happens when sending correspondents that include sensitive information.

Confidential Information Encryption and Decryption of Recipient

Most email services have the option to encrypt the email or its contents. Use this feature when sending sensitive or confidential details. There are also other ways to have end-to-end encrypting of the emails. In the same vein, make sure your recipients know how to decrypt the file you sent. Giving precise guidelines on how to do this will enable them to get to the content without compromising on security. This is an important issue in organizations that regularly convey delicate data.

Monitor Your Email Activity Regularly for Better Cybersecurity in Companies

Another proactive measure in cybersecurity in companies is tracking email activity. With this, you are alerted if there is any unexplained increase in activity that can indicate a possible malicious attempt to enter your email account. That way,  you can check and take action when it is necessary.

Review Login History and Respond Quickly to Suspicious Behavior

Check the time and frequency of login. This should match the usual trend of the user. If not, then it can indicate an unauthorized person is trying to access the account. In the same vein, you and your staff should be oriented to report immediately any form of fraudulent transaction or unusual traffic they notice. Check the login credentials, go through your security preferences, and transform your account’s security to avoid such risks in the future. Immediate intervention can smear the profound impacts and eliminate all chances of having compromised cybersecurity in companies.

Looking to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity in Your Company? Get in Touch!

E-mail communication security is essential for any measures of cybersecurity in companies. We at EBSolution know and understand the importance of this especially for small and medium businesses. If you are looking to strengthen your cybersecurity posture in your company, get in touch with us today. We can assist you with not just cybersecurity but also business continuity and disaster recovery. Schedule your consultation with us today!

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