Originally published on allpeers.com
Small businesses have a lot to lose when cybersecurity issues strike. It’s essential to protect your small business and limit what exposure and threat cybersecurity can pose for you. Whether you need to update your security policies, backup data, or find ways to keep your network secure, there are options for you.
This article will share with you 5 cybersecurity tips to remember for your small business, as shared by Daniel Calugar.
1. Password Security
One of the most straightforward steps that a small business can take to improve cybersecurity is to enhance password security. The company itself should implement a smart password security protocol, but it should also enforce specific password security measures for the employees as well.
Try things like requiring letters, numbers, and symbols in passwords and regular password changes.
2. Train and Monitor Employees
Businesses must train their employees and hold them accountable for their actions. While small businesses tend to be a bit more lenient on what their employees are allowed to do, this could make them more susceptible to cybersecurity threats.
Find ways to layer security. Limit employee access and have a monitoring system to watch for threats and misuse of company cyber allowances. You can monitor your employees without being overly invasive.
On the same note, train your employees about cyber safety and how they are expected to represent and use business devices on the web. Teach them not to click on links that they shouldn’t and things they can look for to avoid causing a security breach by mistake.
3. Firewall & Security Measures
Small businesses can access firewall protection much like any individual can. It’s a good idea for small businesses to incorporate various security measures, including firewalls. Ultimately, a firewall’s purpose is to protect your private data from outside sources, especially when you are on the web.
This means your internal networks and private data will be protected, even if something is perhaps clicked on or a site that isn’t secure is accessed.
There are plenty of free firewall options out there, but it’s up to the business to enable each employee’s security software and set it up for their standards.
4. Back Up Data
Every business should have backup data plans in place. You never know what type of situations or breaches you might face, and it would be a huge mess if you lost essential data. Your business should have a process in place for backing up data at regular intervals and storing that data securely, preferably in an offsite location.
5. Plan for Attacks Against Your Business
While you can certainly set your business up with the best cybersecurity measures around, you need to be prepared if something goes awry. Yes, take all of these steps and more to protect your business but set up a plan to be prepared should an attack take place. Have a process in place and ready to go, so you aren’t scrambling when something happens.
Protecting your small business’s cybersecurity is one of the essential things you can and should do. There are simple changes you can make, but most of all, always have a plan.