It wasn’t long ago when business owners primarily feared break-ins of their brick-and-mortar locations. Nowadays, business owners are just as fearful of digital attacks for good reason. A cyber security break-in has the potential to devastate a business just as much as a conventional robbery. Below, we delve into some tips that will help business owners and managers better secure their organization’s data.
Be Proactive With a Myriad of Protections
Do not let your employees handle digital security on their own. Implement a widespread digital security policy that every employee must adhere to. Implement firewalls, anti-virus programs and anti-spyware throughout your organization to safeguard computers and sensitive data. If necessary, consult with digital security experts outside of your organization to identify and administer network security solutions with ample protection. In the end, these safeguards should protect every computer and network in your organization against phishing scams, spam, identity theft and viruses. Don’t forget to regularly update your company’s security programs. Hackers are creative people who devise new threats on a daily basis. Take the time to update your security protocols at least once every quarter and you will greatly reduce the odds of a digital breach.
Don’t Assume Your Wireless Network is Protected
Plenty of small business owners set up a wireless network without properly securing it. If you fail to secure your wireless network, malicious individuals can gain access and pilfer your information with the use of specialized software and a powerful antenna. If your wireless network has not been protected with a unique and complex password, establish one now. Always use WPA2 encryption, limit the wireless network’s range for strict in-house access and alter the default SSID name.
Limit Employee Access
Low-level employees do not need or deserve access to all of your company’s highly sensitive company data. Restrict each employee’s data access as appropriate. This will require the creation of distinct accounts for individual employees as well as the use of strong passwords. Mandate that each employee’s password includes numbers and letters. Restrict access as appropriate and you won’t have to worry about new hires or lowly paid employees stealing valuable data and selling it on the back market.
Backup Important Data
Take the time necessary to backup your company’s important data. Examples of critical information that should be copied include accounts receivable/payable files, human resources information, financial files and databases. Such data should be copied on a weekly basis. If possible, have your IT experts set up an automatic update if possible.
Consider Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance policies have soared in popularity over the past few years. These policies help companies protect client names and contact information, credit card data and other sensitive files contained within online systems. Do not assume that your company’s general liability insurance will cover cyber security breaches. If your organization suffers a digital attack and you have a cyber insurance policy in place, bouncing back from the infiltration won’t be nearly as challenging.