Digital marketing companies are at a high level of risk for data breaches. Many other companies have the option of disconnecting from the internet. Digital marketers do all of their business on the Web. The problem of cybersecurity might seem daunting, but a few simple precautions can help any marketing company stay safe online. Here are six ways to safeguard your company. 

1. Prioritize Cloud-Based Security

Cloud computing is all but necessary for doing business online. Distributed computing and data storage enables software applications to be stored and executed in the cloud, vastly increasing their capabilities. Although most cloud providers have high-quality security systems (if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be in business long), cloud security risks still exist. It’s worth taking a careful look at the security protocols of whichever cloud storage provider you use. It’s not only your data at stake, but your client’s as well. 

2. Install a Firewall System

Digital marketing companies view email as a high-ROI marketing strategy. Unfortunately, that massive number of emails sent and received is a vector for malware. Hackers send legitimate-seeming emails to unsuspecting victims. These phony emails might either contain links to malicious software or spoofed websites. Either can result in criminals taking control of your systems. Firewall systems monitor email traffic and flag potential threats. They act as a filter for your network and make a solid first line of defense for marketers dealing with high email volume. 

3. Teach Personnel to Recognize Scams

The most critical line of defense is awareness. Verizon’s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) found that 82% of data breaches involved human error. Misuse of computer systems and simple blunders played a pivotal role. So-called “social engineering” attacks in which a victim is fast-talked into giving away critical information did too. Keeping up to date with the latest threats and then showing team members how to spot them can help mitigate this issue. Insist that new users on your network verify their credentials. A little information goes a long way in countering threats before they take shape. 

4. Have Strong Password Protection

Speaking of credentials, stolen or compromised passwords constituted around 30% of security breach issues in 2021. The worst mistakes are also the simplest. Often, people choose passwords based on personal facts about themselves. Others use the same password for multiple logins. Still more make their passwords laughably easy to remember. All of these behaviors contribute to stolen credentials. Solid passwords should be 12 characters or more in length. The characters should also be randomized. This method might make them tough to remember, but those passwords will also be arduous for criminals to crack.

5. Standardize Endpoint Security

Cybersecurity is simple when your network consists of one office. That’s rare in digital marketing. Sales teams may be separated geographically, and working from home is incredibly common. Consequently, employees are working from an array of different devices. There should be an attempt to standardize security across all these user endpoints. Insist that everyone has antivirus software installed on their devices. Also, encourage everyone to install system updates as they become available. Installation might be annoying, but the security patches they often include can help thwart emerging threats. 

6. Have a Response Plan

Preventing attacks is ideal, but sometimes the worst-case scenario happens. Security Magazine estimates that around 22 billion records became exposed through data breaches in 2021. Having a proper response plan is critical to recovery. Briefly, a plan should prioritize the containment of damage and eradication of malicious software. Backing up data securely offline in encrypted storage is ideal for recovering systems. The U.S. government offers training in response, so consider availing yourself of those resources. 

Cybercrime can stop a successful company in its tracks. Fortunately, staying safe is as easy as having the right tools and skills. Consider these tips a first step in rolling out your cybersecurity plan.