{"id":6773,"date":"2021-01-22T14:53:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T14:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cybersmart.com\/?p=6773"},"modified":"2021-10-05T11:52:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T11:52:00","slug":"5-easy-cybersecurity-new-years-resolutions-for-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cybersmart.com\/blog\/5-easy-cybersecurity-new-years-resolutions-for-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"5 easy cybersecurity New Year\u2019s resolutions for 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> from popular exercise app Strava, the second Friday of January is \u201cquitters\u2019 day\u201d\u2013 the day when people are most likely to give up on New Year\u2019s resolutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the day when all those promises made in good faith back in December go up in smoke. Running shoes across the land are hurled to the back of the nearest cupboard, never to see the light of day again. Gym memberships are forgotten about. And new hobbies fall by the wayside. <\/span>
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\nThe biggest problem with most New Year\u2019s resolutions is their difficulty. Sure, the long-term gains might be amazing, but what about the months of pain and effort to get there?<\/span>
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\n<\/span>But not all resolutions have to be difficult or doomed to failure. Take, for example, our list of easy cybersecurity New Year’s resolutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike attempting a couch to 5k or taking up a new hobby, they don\u2019t require hours of your time to see results. Nor do you need to go out and buy expensive new tools or overhaul existing processes. All it takes is a few tweaks here and there to get your business\u2019s cybersecurity fighting fit for the year ahead.<\/p>\n

And the best part? Once you\u2019re in the habit, you\u2019re unlikely to break them.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

1. Start patching and updating software regularly<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

We bang the patching drum a lot at CyberSmart. Regular readers of our blog will have noticed we mention it at every possible opportunity. But, as repetitive as it might be, there\u2019s a very good reason behind our love affair with patching.<\/p>\n

Regularly updating your software and operating systems is the easiest, most time-efficient way to improve your cybersecurity. Even, the best software becomes outdated or develops gaps and, when it does, cybercriminals suddenly have an easy route into your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, avoiding the worst is incredibly easy and it shouldn\u2019t take you more than a couple of minutes each month. All it requires is that you check every now and then for any new updates to tools and software you use. Or, if you want an even easier solution, simply turn on auto-updates in your device\u2019s settings, and you won\u2019t even have to think about it. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>To learn more about patching, check out our <\/span>recent blog <\/span><\/a>on the subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

2. Create a password policy<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n

Of all the resolutions on this list, creating a secure password policy is by far the simplest. Most of us know the importance of strong passwords, but that doesn\u2019t stop us using the same easily-guessable phrase we\u2019ve been using since 2001 for everything. We\u2019re only human after all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is this poses a huge security risk. It only takes a cybercriminal to crack one insecure password in your business for disaster to strike. But the good news is fixing it is simple. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>Set up a password policy and ensure everyone in the business follows it. Often, it doesn\u2019t take much more than a well-worded email and a few friendly nudges to get everyone on board. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>What should go in the policy? Well, a strong password policy should have four key points:<\/span><\/p>\n