In an era where a single tweet can damage a brand's reputation, securing your social media accounts is not just good practice—it's essential. A security breach can lead to devastating consequences, including reputational damage, financial loss, and a loss of customer trust. Here are 10 absolute non-negotiables to protect your business online.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords & A Password Manager

This is the first line of defence. Every social media account must have a unique, complex password (a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols). Using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password is the most effective way to generate and store these passwords securely. Reusing passwords across different platforms is a major security risk.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Everywhere

2FA adds a critical second layer of security. Even if a hacker steals your password, they won't be able to access your account without the second factor—usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Make this mandatory for all company social media accounts.

3. Regularly Review Who Has Access

Conduct quarterly audits of every person and third-party application that has access to your accounts. Remove former employees, old agencies, or apps you no longer use. The principle of least privilege applies here: only give access to those who absolutely need it.

4. Train Your Team to Spot Phishing Scams

Your team is your biggest vulnerability. Conduct regular training on how to recognise phishing emails, direct messages, or suspicious links that are designed to steal login credentials. A single mistake can compromise your entire online presence.

5. Secure Your Devices

Ensure that all devices used to access company social media accounts (computers, phones, tablets) are themselves secure. This means they should be password-protected, have up-to-date software, and have antivirus/anti-malware protection installed.

6. Establish a Clear Social Media Policy

Your business needs a formal social media policy that outlines the rules for using company accounts. It should cover who is authorised to post, what kind of content is appropriate, and the procedures to follow in case of a security incident.

7. Monitor for Impersonation Accounts

Scammers often create fake accounts to impersonate your brand and defraud your customers. Proactively search for and report these fake accounts to the social media platforms immediately. This protects your brand's reputation and your customers.

8. Be Careful with Third-Party Apps

Be very selective about the third-party apps you connect to your social media accounts. Only use reputable applications and be mindful of the permissions they request. Each connected app is a potential entry point for an attacker.

9. Define a Crisis Response Plan

Don't wait for a hack to happen to figure out what to do. Have a clear plan in place that details who to contact, how to regain control of the account, how to communicate with your audience, and how to conduct a post-mortem to prevent it from happening again.

10. Separate Personal and Business Accounts

Employees should never use their personal social media accounts for official business communications, and vice versa. A breach of a personal account should not be able to cascade into a breach of your company's official presence.

10 Non-Negotiables for Making Your Social Media Secure