How to keep your small business from being a big cyber target

In our modern, digital age, keeping your small business safe from cyber threats should be a major concern. Being hacked could put your business at risk in multiple ways, affecting clients, employees and the livelihood of the company alike. To assist you in bypassing cybersecurity risks, here are some steps that your small business can take.

1. Login lockdown

One method of preventing security hacks or data breaches in your small business is to frequently change the passwords for login info of company devices and sites. Encourage your employees to keep their passwords private and not share them with other staff or clientele. Lastly, adding encryptions in your files and software is another preemptive step that will help maintain your small business’s security.

2. Create a policy

Another solution for maintaining data security is to create a security policy for the company and to enlighten your employees on its details. Within your policy, you can decide what type of data or information you’d like it to apply to. This might include sensitive information regarding your clients, your business or your workforce. Thoroughly train your employees on the policy and inform them on the procedures they can take in the event of a cyberattack.

3. Updating software

Continuously updating your software can make it more difficult to exploit the bugs in older software and devices. Updates should encompass your browser, security/Antivirus software, apps, and more. You might also consider other options like DLP, or Data Leakage Protection, software to provide additional layers of security for your small business.

4. Netting some network security

One of the biggest threats to your small business is an unsecured or easily accessed network. A network that readily allows for unauthorized users puts all of your devices (laptops, tablets, even your printer), and info at risk. Limit the access to authorized users (i.e. employees) within your small business and if you need to expand, provide clients or customers network access with guest Internet options to keep your business’s main network secure.

5. Spare yourself with spare data

Backing up your files prevents valuable data from being otherwise permanently lost or taken. Your backup data, much like your other files, can be encrypted, secured and safely stored, leaving it out of the hands of would-be hackers and identity thieves.

Interested in learning more about what your small business can do to virtually shield itself from online attackers? Check out one of our Secure360 conferences and get more informed – don’t let your small business remain a big target for data thieves.