For a small business, digital processes that help you get off the ground and thrive are vital. However, there are risks with digital technology that can also cause setbacks for your company. Cybersecurity for small businesses is crucial to planning for success.
We hear a lot about large companies getting hit by cyberattacks, including the one against Target Corporation that resulted in information stolen from 40 million credit and debit cards. While the attack hurt the company’s reputation, Target is big enough to weather the storm. Small businesses, on the other hand, might fold completely depending on the severity of the attack.
The repair and recovery following an attack is also costly. As such, it’s crucial to do everything possible to prevent one from happening, but to have a plan in place in case one does.
Hundreds of new viruses are created every day by industrious hackers, but there are also a number of ways to protect your data and find where the weakest points of entry exist. So, how should you begin to approach the cybersecurity issue?
- Passwords
This might seem obvious, but weak passwords often go unchanged, even when the user is reminded many times how a weak password is notoriously the entry point for many malicious hackers. Use a password manager, and insist that anyone with access to your data does the same. - Determine Value
Which bits of your data are the most crucial? Also, how long do you hold on to data? Decide what needs extra protection and what needs to be erased once it has become irrelevant. - Remote Targets
Non-secure public hot spots are an easy window to your data. If you have employees that work remotely, they often connect through non-encrypted networks. Try using a virtual private network (VPN) instead. This will keep your remote employees hidden as they access company data. - Continuing Education
Human error is more often than not the source of a cyberattack. Determine which staff members are the least educated and offer them opportunities to learn. - Third Parties
Small businesses often find it difficult to approach cybersecurity with a solid strategy, which is why it’s smart to outsource security management. This also helps to reduce the threat of a cyberattack from within your own company.
When you choose a company like Copper State Communications to outsource your cybersecurity needs, you partner with an organization that has built reliable relationships with thousands of clients since 1982. We are the go-to company for IT and telecom solutions in Arizona, and are proud to prove it every day.
The post Small Businesses Deserve Protection from Threats with Advanced Cybersecurity appeared first on COPPER STATE.