How to Improve Email Security for Small Businesses

Is your company’s email network secure? Unfortunately, if you’re like many small business owners, this is a major point of weakness. Many enterprises rely on outdated email software and security practices in hopes that their status as a small business will make them less attractive to potential attackers. However, in reality, a large portion of attacks carried out in the past few years have involved small companies, which often struggle to survive the financial and reputational fallout.

Strong business email security could prove an essential tool in the constant fight against data breaches. Even a few basic tweaks to your company’s current email approach could make a huge difference. Ready to learn more? Below, we’re breaking down the value of commercial email security – and which steps you can implement to protect your accounts.

The Importance of Business Email Security

Poorly protected email can leave your business vulnerable to a whole host of security issues. One of the most significant is business email compromise (BEC), in which attackers target companies with suppliers situated abroad. In many cases, BEC fraudsters carefully research their victims prior to initiating the scam. This helps to ensure the most convincing approach possible, increasing their odds of tricking unsuspecting employees and even executives.

BEC and other scams prove most effective among small and midsize businesses with poorly secured email accounts. Therefore, you need to utilize a comprehensive security system that protects not only individual messages, but also usernames, passwords, and other key elements.

Top Options for Improving Business Email Security

A variety of approaches are available for strengthening the security of your business email. No one tool or technique is guaranteed to keep your email safe, but a comprehensive array of solutions can provide excellent protection. The most effective options include:

Amp up Encryption

Encryption serves as a powerful first line of defense for small companies that primarily rely on email software. Unfortunately, many business leaders fail to take this necessary first step. This lack of encryption can compromise not only message content and attachments but also usernames and passwords. Attackers who can monitor accounts can quickly gain access to a vast collection of emails, many of which may contain sensitive information.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is critical, as it provides strong encryption while messages are in transit between email servers. Without this extra protection, emails could prove vulnerable to attacks while being transferred from one server to the next.

TLS uses a variety of effective email protocols, including Internet Access Message Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). These protocols manage the secure sending and retrieval of email messages. Web-based servers that rely on such procedures are preferable to many locally-installed client software solutions. For example, cloud-based email security services (ESS) such as Barracuda ESS can effectively address threats like viruses, phishing, or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Take Advantage of Today’s Most Effective Anti-Malware Solutions

Anti-malware technology has come a long way in recent years. Today’s solutions rely primarily on threat intelligence and reputation services, which allow them to pinpoint current threat locations promptly. Businesses that deploy modern anti-malware solutions are more likely to recognize potential risks early on when they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Mandate Email Client Health Checks

In an age of BYOD (bring your own device), a myriad of security threats can easily enter employee email accounts – especially if workers prefer to use their personal accounts. As such, all email client devices (both those owned by the company and brought in by the employee) must be monitored via automatic health checks. These can quickly identify and flag potential security issues such as weak settings for end-user systems.

Take Steps to Avoid Data Exfiltration

Often referred to as data extrusion, exfiltration occurs when data is transferred from a device without permission. Although this occasionally happens on a manual basis, it’s more frequently a product of automated attacks involving malicious programming.

Unfortunately, data exfiltration can be exceedingly difficult to detect. Often, by the time the signs of such activity become evident to business owners, it’s already too late. Thankfully, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be called upon to monitor email servers and client devices that provide access to sensitive data.

Enhance Your Email Security with Help from

Is your company’s email network secure? Unfortunately, if you’re like many small business owners, this is a major point of weakness. Many enterprises rely on outdated email software and security practices in hopes that their status as a small business will make them less attractive to potential attackers. However, in reality, a large portion of attacks carried out in the past few years have involved small companies, which often struggle to survive the financial and reputational fallout.

Strong business email security could prove an essential tool in the constant fight against data breaches. Even a few basic tweaks to your company’s current email approach could make a huge difference. Ready to learn more? Below, we’re breaking down the value of commercial email security – and which steps you can implement to protect your accounts.

The Importance of Business Email Security

Poorly protected email can leave your business vulnerable to a whole host of security issues. One of the most significant is business email compromise (BEC), in which attackers target companies with suppliers situated abroad. In many cases, BEC fraudsters carefully research their victims prior to initiating the scam. This helps to ensure the most convincing approach possible, increasing their odds of tricking unsuspecting employees and even executives.

BEC and other scams prove most effective among small and midsize businesses with poorly secured email accounts. Therefore, you need to utilize a comprehensive security system that protects not only individual messages, but also usernames, passwords, and other key elements.

Top Options for Improving Business Email Security

A variety of approaches are available for strengthening the security of your business email. No one tool or technique is guaranteed to keep your email safe, but a comprehensive array of solutions can provide excellent protection. The most effective options include:

Amp up Encryption

Encryption serves as a powerful first line of defense for small companies that primarily rely on email software. Unfortunately, many business leaders fail to take this necessary first step. This lack of encryption can compromise not only message content and attachments but also usernames and passwords. Attackers who can monitor accounts can quickly gain access to a vast collection of emails, many of which may contain sensitive information.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is critical, as it provides strong encryption while messages are in transit between email servers. Without this extra protection, emails could prove vulnerable to attacks while being transferred from one server to the next.

TLS uses a variety of effective email protocols, including Internet Access Message Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). These protocols manage the secure sending and retrieval of email messages. Web-based servers that rely on such procedures are preferable to many locally-installed client software solutions. For example, cloud-based email security services (ESS) such as Barracuda ESS can effectively address threats like viruses, phishing, or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Take Advantage of Today’s Most Effective Anti-Malware Solutions

Anti-malware technology has come a long way in recent years. Today’s solutions rely primarily on threat intelligence and reputation services, which allow them to pinpoint current threat locations promptly. Businesses that deploy modern anti-malware solutions are more likely to recognize potential risks early on when they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Mandate Email Client Health Checks

In an age of BYOD (bring your own device), a myriad of security threats can easily enter employee email accounts – especially if workers prefer to use their personal accounts. As such, all email client devices (both those owned by the company and brought in by the employee) must be monitored via automatic health checks. These can quickly identify and flag potential security issues such as weak settings for end-user systems.

Take Steps to Avoid Data Exfiltration

Often referred to as data extrusion, exfiltration occurs when data is transferred from a device without permission. Although this occasionally happens on a manual basis, it’s more frequently a product of automated attacks involving malicious programming.

Unfortunately, data exfiltration can be exceedingly difficult to detect. Often, by the time the signs of such activity become evident to business owners, it’s already too late. Thankfully, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be called upon to monitor email servers and client devices that provide access to sensitive data.

Enhance Your Email Security with Help from

Is your company’s email network secure? Unfortunately, if you’re like many small business owners, this is a major point of weakness. Many enterprises rely on outdated email software and security practices in hopes that their status as a small business will make them less attractive to potential attackers. However, in reality, a large portion of attacks carried out in the past few years have involved small companies, which often struggle to survive the financial and reputational fallout.

Strong business email security could prove an essential tool in the constant fight against data breaches. Even a few basic tweaks to your company’s current email approach could make a huge difference. Ready to learn more? Below, we’re breaking down the value of commercial email security – and which steps you can implement to protect your accounts.

The Importance of Business Email Security

Poorly protected email can leave your business vulnerable to a whole host of security issues. One of the most significant is business email compromise (BEC), in which attackers target companies with suppliers situated abroad. In many cases, BEC fraudsters carefully research their victims prior to initiating the scam. This helps to ensure the most convincing approach possible, increasing their odds of tricking unsuspecting employees and even executives.

BEC and other scams prove most effective among small and midsize businesses with poorly secured email accounts. Therefore, you need to utilize a comprehensive security system that protects not only individual messages, but also usernames, passwords, and other key elements.

Top Options for Improving Business Email Security

A variety of approaches are available for strengthening the security of your business email. No one tool or technique is guaranteed to keep your email safe, but a comprehensive array of solutions can provide excellent protection. The most effective options include:

Amp up Encryption

Encryption serves as a powerful first line of defense for small companies that primarily rely on email software. Unfortunately, many business leaders fail to take this necessary first step. This lack of encryption can compromise not only message content and attachments but also usernames and passwords. Attackers who can monitor accounts can quickly gain access to a vast collection of emails, many of which may contain sensitive information.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is critical, as it provides strong encryption while messages are in transit between email servers. Without this extra protection, emails could prove vulnerable to attacks while being transferred from one server to the next.

TLS uses a variety of effective email protocols, including Internet Access Message Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). These protocols manage the secure sending and retrieval of email messages. Web-based servers that rely on such procedures are preferable to many locally-installed client software solutions. For example, cloud-based email security services (ESS) such as Barracuda ESS can effectively address threats like viruses, phishing, or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Take Advantage of Today’s Most Effective Anti-Malware Solutions

Anti-malware technology has come a long way in recent years. Today’s solutions rely primarily on threat intelligence and reputation services, which allow them to pinpoint current threat locations promptly. Businesses that deploy modern anti-malware solutions are more likely to recognize potential risks early on when they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Mandate Email Client Health Checks

In an age of BYOD (bring your own device), a myriad of security threats can easily enter employee email accounts – especially if workers prefer to use their personal accounts. As such, all email client devices (both those owned by the company and brought in by the employee) must be monitored via automatic health checks. These can quickly identify and flag potential security issues such as weak settings for end-user systems.

Take Steps to Avoid Data Exfiltration

Often referred to as data extrusion, exfiltration occurs when data is transferred from a device without permission. Although this occasionally happens on a manual basis, it’s more frequently a product of automated attacks involving malicious programming.

Unfortunately, data exfiltration can be exceedingly difficult to detect. Often, by the time the signs of such activity become evident to business owners, it’s already too late. Thankfully, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be called upon to monitor email servers and client devices that provide access to sensitive data.

Enhance Your Email Security with Help from NerdsToGo

Ultimately, your business stands the best chance of avoiding today’s most alarming email-based threats if a strategic array of tools and technologies are implemented to keep accounts and content secure. Don’t hesitate to utilize stronger security practices – it’s definitely worth the effort.

Are you ready to take your company’s email security to the next level? Feel free to ask the experts at NerdsToGo for help. As a top computer repair and managed IT service provider, we have a strong reputation among local business owners – and for good reason. Our certified Nerds have assisted Charlotte entrepreneurs with everything from setting up business email solutions to diagnosing and handling related issues. Contact us today to learn more about our small business IT services!

Is your company’s email network secure? Unfortunately, if you’re like many small business owners, this is a major point of weakness. Many enterprises rely on outdated email software and security practices in hopes that their status as a small business will make them less attractive to potential attackers. However, in reality, a large portion of attacks carried out in the past few years have involved small companies, which often struggle to survive the financial and reputational fallout.

Strong business email security could prove an essential tool in the constant fight against data breaches. Even a few basic tweaks to your company’s current email approach could make a huge difference. Ready to learn more? Below, we’re breaking down the value of commercial email security – and which steps you can implement to protect your accounts.

The Importance of Business Email Security

Poorly protected email can leave your business vulnerable to a whole host of security issues. One of the most significant is business email compromise (BEC), in which attackers target companies with suppliers situated abroad. In many cases, BEC fraudsters carefully research their victims prior to initiating the scam. This helps to ensure the most convincing approach possible, increasing their odds of tricking unsuspecting employees and even executives.

BEC and other scams prove most effective among small and midsize businesses with poorly secured email accounts. Therefore, you need to utilize a comprehensive security system that protects not only individual messages, but also usernames, passwords, and other key elements.

Top Options for Improving Business Email Security

A variety of approaches are available for strengthening the security of your business email. No one tool or technique is guaranteed to keep your email safe, but a comprehensive array of solutions can provide excellent protection. The most effective options include:

Amp up Encryption

Encryption serves as a powerful first line of defense for small companies that primarily rely on email software. Unfortunately, many business leaders fail to take this necessary first step. This lack of encryption can compromise not only message content and attachments but also usernames and passwords. Attackers who can monitor accounts can quickly gain access to a vast collection of emails, many of which may contain sensitive information.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is critical, as it provides strong encryption while messages are in transit between email servers. Without this extra protection, emails could prove vulnerable to attacks while being transferred from one server to the next.

TLS uses a variety of effective email protocols, including Internet Access Message Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). These protocols manage the secure sending and retrieval of email messages. Web-based servers that rely on such procedures are preferable to many locally-installed client software solutions. For example, cloud-based email security services (ESS) such as Barracuda ESS can effectively address threats like viruses, phishing, or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Take Advantage of Today’s Most Effective Anti-Malware Solutions

Anti-malware technology has come a long way in recent years. Today’s solutions rely primarily on threat intelligence and reputation services, which allow them to pinpoint current threat locations promptly. Businesses that deploy modern anti-malware solutions are more likely to recognize potential risks early on when they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Mandate Email Client Health Checks

In an age of BYOD (bring your own device), a myriad of security threats can easily enter employee email accounts – especially if workers prefer to use their personal accounts. As such, all email client devices (both those owned by the company and brought in by the employee) must be monitored via automatic health checks. These can quickly identify and flag potential security issues such as weak settings for end-user systems.

Take Steps to Avoid Data Exfiltration

Often referred to as data extrusion, exfiltration occurs when data is transferred from a device without permission. Although this occasionally happens on a manual basis, it’s more frequently a product of automated attacks involving malicious programming.

Unfortunately, data exfiltration can be exceedingly difficult to detect. Often, by the time the signs of such activity become evident to business owners, it’s already too late. Thankfully, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be called upon to monitor email servers and client devices that provide access to sensitive data.

Enhance Your Email Security with Help from NerdsToGo

Ultimately, your business stands the best chance of avoiding today’s most alarming email-based threats if a strategic array of tools and technologies are implemented to keep accounts and content secure. Don’t hesitate to utilize stronger security practices – it’s definitely worth the effort.

Are you ready to take your company’s email security to the next level? Feel free to ask the experts at NerdsToGo for help. As a top computer repair and managed IT service provider, we have a strong reputation among local business owners – and for good reason. Our certified Nerds have assisted entrepreneurs with everything from setting up business email solutions to diagnosing and handling related issues. Contact us today to learn more about our small business IT services!