Computer Safety Tips All Business Owners Should Know
If you own a business it is crucial you practice computer safety. Here are a few tips you can incorporate to make sure you and your information stay safe!
Business security breaches numbered nearly 700 in 2017.
As a business owner, this should be concerning. Unless, of course, you don’t think your business would ever be targeted.
If that’s what you’re thinking, think again.
Assuming you’re safe from cyber attacks is about the worst thing you can do for your business in this day and age. Even small business attacks are on the rise.
Though the thought of implementing a computer safety program may seem daunting, it can actually be quite easy.
Check out these simple, but powerful, ways to enhance your business’ security.
Focus Your Computer Safety
Knowing what data your business interacts with, sends out, and brings in, is essential to planning computer security. Some types of data will be more important than others.
Don’t waste your time and resources on fiercely protecting information that isn’t as important. Instead, center your highest security on the information that would be most damaging for you to lose or have accessed.
We can help you determine what your specific business needs.
Enhance Security
Steps as simple as requiring multiple methods of identity confirmation can go a long way in adding security to your business.
Don’t just stop at a password. Have another step for employees and/or customers when they log in.
Setting up firewalls and encrypting web pages are other simple ways to enhance your computer security.
Back Up Data
Regularly back up your data so it is stored in more than one location. This can prevent total loss of information should your system be hacked.
Be wary of back up locations, however. Cloud storage and other remote locations may be easily broken into. Research your options and make sure you’re choosing the best location to store your backed up data.
Get Your Employees On Board
If you are the only person following your computer safety plan, your plan won’t be very helpful.
Get your employees creating good, strong passwords, and make sure they aren’t making easy mistakes, such as writing those passwords down. Require that passwords be changed often.
While you want to trust your employees, analyze potential internal threats regularly. Ensure employees are following guidelines. Utilize methods to track what data is entering and leaving your system.
Running drills is a great way to see if your employees have retained and are utilizing the training you have given them.
Send out an occasional company-created scam email to see how your employees respond. Did they realize that something looked fishy? Did they report it correctly?
Plan Your Response
Having a planned response will help with recovery if you do end up being hacked.
Create a team specifically responsible for responding to threats and breaches. Make sure your employees are aware of the plan.
Letting your customers know you take security seriously will go a long way, but don’t give out any information that will be helpful to potential attackers.
Don’t Put It Off
Implementing good computer safety practices is essential to protecting your business and gaining and keeping customer trust. Don’t assume you won’t be hit. Instead, assume you will be.
Regular assessment of your business’ computer and online security measures, checking employee engagement, and keeping up with technology are all essential.
For more information on protecting your business, visit our contact page.