As we welcome the new year, it’s essential for startups to prioritize cybersecurity. The past year saw numerous high-profile data breaches, ransomware attacks, and mass-hacks exploiting trivial software vulnerabilities. Even well-resourced organizations struggled to keep hackers out of their systems.
In this article, we’ll explore some simple yet effective cybersecurity resolutions that can help your startup stay ahead of malicious threats in 2025.
Securely Store Your Company Passwords
One of the most basic yet crucial aspects of cybersecurity is securely storing company passwords. A password manager can help employees avoid remembering multiple complex passwords for various accounts. By using a password manager, you can prevent account intrusions caused by password re-use.
Password managers create and save unique and complex passwords for all your accounts, making it more challenging for hackers to access sensitive information. Some companies are moving away from traditional passwords altogether and relying on passkeys or other passwordless technology.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
While passwords alone can’t defend against malicious threats, multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a game-changer. Hackers stole over 1 billion personal records in 2024, largely due to the use of stolen credentials for corporate accounts that lacked MFA protection.
MFA requires users to provide an additional code beyond just a password when logging in, making it much more difficult for cybercriminals to break into online accounts. Authenticator apps generate login codes on the device, rather than relying on SMS text messages, which can be intercepted.
Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
Some of the most damaging breaches of 2024 were caused by unpatched vulnerabilities in third-party software. Unmanaged file-transfer tools and other enterprise technologies are frequent targets due to their propensity for storing sensitive company data.
While some bugs are exploited as zero-days, companies can minimize risks by ensuring internal software is kept up-to-date and security patches are applied promptly. Regularly scanning for vulnerabilities and implementing a patch management strategy can significantly reduce the attack surface.
Backup Your Company Data
Ransomware attacks reached an all-time high in 2024, with many organizations falling victim to these malicious campaigns. By backing up your company data regularly, you can ensure that even if your systems are compromised, you’ll have a safe copy of your files and data.
Consider implementing a three-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of your data (primary, secondary, and tertiary), two different types of storage (e.g., cloud and on-premises), and one offsite location. This will provide an added layer of protection against ransomware attacks and other disasters.
Maintain Transparency in Case of a Data Breach
In the unfortunate event of a data breach, transparency is crucial for minimizing reputational damage and potential fines. Keeping customers informed about the incident can help them take necessary actions to protect themselves.
Sharing information about the breach with relevant authorities, such as law enforcement or industry organizations, can also aid in mitigating similar attacks in the future. Not only can keeping a data breach under wraps cause significant financial losses, but it may also land your organization on TechCrunch’s annual "badly handled breaches" roundup.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought for startups; it should be a top priority. By implementing these simple yet effective resolutions, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other cybersecurity threats in 2025.
Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and attention. Stay vigilant, educate your employees on best practices, and prioritize security from day one to ensure a safe and secure online environment for your organization.
Related Topics:
- Cyberattacks
- Cybersecurity
- Healthcare
- Security
- Startups
Author Bio:
Carly Page is a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, covering the cybersecurity beat. With over a decade of experience in the technology industry, Carly has written for prominent titles such as Forbes, TechRadar, and WIRED.
You can contact Carly securely on Signal at +441536 853956 or via email at carly.page@techcrunch.com.
