Despite the availability of social media and other forms of digital communication, email remains the backbone of business correspondence, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). That’s why cybercriminals still consider email a prime target. Without proper protections for your inbox, you’re easy prey for phishing attacks, data breaches, and malware infections.
The importance of email security for SMBs in North Carolina
Cybercriminals use email as their gateway to steal data, deploy ransomware, or trick employees into transferring funds, providing sensitive information, or allowing further access into systems. For SMBs across different sectors, such attacks can lead to financial loss, damage to reputation, and regulatory fines that can shut them down for good.
Sadly, many SMBs can’t afford to have a dedicated in-house IT security team. To mitigate cybersecurity risks from email, SMBs in Charlotte and across North Carolina would do well to invest in secure email solutions that will protect them from cyberattacks and, at the same time, allow them to meet their compliance requirements.
Practical email security tips
Strengthening your business email security shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can start with the following best practices:
Use strong authentication methods
Passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your email. However, passwords are vulnerable; they can be stolen or easily cracked, especially if you use weak passwords. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a layer of security because it requires users to verify their identity in several ways, not just through passwords alone. So even if criminals gain access to your password, they’ll still need to pass another layer of authentication before they can access your email. This added layer helps reduce the risks of unauthorized access.
Deploy advanced spam and phishing filters
Today’s email solutions are equipped with AI-driven filters that detect and block phishing attempts, malicious attachments, and suspicious links. Invest in an advanced email filtering system to sort out harmful emails and prevent them from even reaching your inbox.
Encrypt your email for data protection
Your email can be intercepted during transmission by cybercriminals. Encryption ensures that emails containing sensitive business information are unreadable to unauthorized parties. While end-to-end encryption is recommended for all industries, it is especially necessary for those that handle confidential client data, such as finance, healthcare, government, and legal services.
Educate your employees on email security best practices
One of the leading causes of email-related security breaches is human error. To minimize this risk, conduct regular security training for everyone, from top management down. Everyone in your organization should learn how to recognize phishing attempts, know to avoid clicking on unknown links, and immediately report suspicious emails to your security team.
Implement a robust email backup system
Cyberattacks aren’t the only cause of data loss. You can also lose files due to accidental deletions or server failure. Data loss can lead to costly operational disruptions. Therefore, it is important to have a secure email backup solution so that you can recover critical communications and files as quickly as possible and reduce downtime.
Choosing the right email solutions for your business
When choosing the right email solution, you should consider your business’s unique needs. There are cloud-based solutions that offer continuous threat monitoring, automatic updates, and seamless integration with existing email providers. What’s more, managed IT services providers (MSPs) can help SMBs implement and maintain email protection without the need for businesses to hire in-house IT security staff.
If you’re a Charlotte-based business looking to enhance your email security, consider partnering with a trusted MSP: Refresh Technologies. We can provide tailor-fit solutions and proactive support, especially for manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. If you’re ready to fortify your email security from cyberthreats, contact us today.