As an online-focused industry, digital marketing continues to grow while relying on information systems available. While there is much promise in this field, it also faces considerable cybersecurity risks. A digital marketer must therefore keep in mind the consistent possibility of a data breach. There are a number of probabilities that could happen in case your system gets hacked. This includes financial frauds, downtimes, and security breaches which would then result in bad publicity.
Digital marketers hold a huge responsibility to be really cautious during website maintenance and management in order to readily identify threats that could cause system collapse. It is advisable to use a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure that all traffic goes through an encrypted channel, getting rid of most cybersecurity concerns. Securing your digital platforms should be one of your top priorities especially because security incidents increasingly become costly. Invest ample time, effort, and timely maintenance to be on top of a secured digital marketing business.
Here are some safety tips to have sound cybersecurity that could help protect your business and put your mind at ease:
A poorly constructed website is an easy target for hackers so save yourself from heartache by preparing in advance. Do not settle for unsatisfactory service from your website provider or designer and implement advanced security measures such as a 2-factor authentication which strengthens overall website security. Make sure that your website is adequately configured by being consistent with simple cybersecurity hygiene which includes updating content management systems and plug-ins.
Remember that a hacking incident can lead to more troubles such as paying regulatory fines, losing finances, and dealing with a damaged reputation. Some of the outcomes that could happen when your website gets compromised are inaccessible website parts, customers transferring to a competitor, and hackers acquiring credit card information among others. You may therefore want to consider getting a Web Application Firewall (WAF) that could thoroughly screen the traffic your website encounters and halt any possible cyber attacks and malware. It would also help to use a corporate credit card with exceptional protection considering that you would use it in almost all your online business transactions. Lastly, you can install a digital certificate such as SSL certificate to protect any information your website receives that could earn the trust of your customers, knowing their data is well guarded.
Since a website is a wide turf to defend, you must not forget to keep your WordPress up to date. It is no secret that it’s one of the most prominent website hosting platforms that digital marketers manage which is why an outdated WordPress site can be easily breached by a hacker and exploit its unprotected software components. Stubbornly using old versions of necessary plug-ins and themes is like welcoming the hacker to your gates with open arms. Thus, updating your software as frequently and soon as possible is crucial. You can even enable automatic updates so it won’t be too much of a hassle. Be reminded to use a complex password different from your social media passwords to supplement your defenses.
You should be accustomed to using third-party services such as PayPal as a digital marketer. They basically serve as a precaution to securely handle transaction data. Hackers won’t simply stop even when they know you have such guards ready since it is what they do so familiarize yourself with anti-malware measures as well. These can provide an added layer of encryption wherein hackers will encounter data that would not be immediately useful in case they successfully get to breach your defenses. They can do this by using malware so have your website HTTPS secured and do further research on other anti-malware techniques.
Hackers increasingly use emails to distribute malware and forward fraudulent invoices which could expose you to different phishing attacks that could be a serious threat to your business. This widely-used tactic is becoming more deceptive and sophisticated that you can even receive ransomware capable of locking up all your data behind a paywall. Such a severe incident only takes knowing your business email address and compromising it which would subsequently harm the rest of your marketing efforts and business reputation. Therefore, train yourself and your team to easily recognize a fraudulent email in order to know when not to click a link that contains malware.
Taking adequate precautions such as using a VPN, 2-factor authentication, and strong passwords can help you secure email accounts to lessen the chances of spam, email spoofing, and viruses infiltrating your email system. Have an alignment with your team to touch base and track what everyone has encountered so far which is a good basis for knowing what additional measures must be taken to minimize online risks of email interception.
Social media have always been part of a digital marketing equation so you better not forget to secure your social media accounts. When hackers get to take hold of your account, they can easily send malicious links to your followers and even trick them to forward delicate information. Protect your socials in the same way you protect your website and email to avoid a catastrophic event. You can do this by limiting access to your company’s social media credentials and having a secured password.
The possibility of a cybersecurity attack will always be there. As a digital marketer, it is your responsibility to properly manage your online assets and understand how a cyber attack works to know how to efficiently counter it. Stay up to date with cybersecurity trends and foster trust with your customers by giving the assurance that you certainly got their backs.
About The Author:
Regi Publico is a full-time writer based in Manila who is also an artist for fun. She takes pride in her towering collection of books and loves reading about anything under the sun. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge through every article that she writes.
