How to Secure Your Small Business

Posted in Business, Management on June 23rd, 2020

Now that we’re dependent on technology more than ever before, we’ve become especially vulnerable to cyberattacks — and small businesses are no exception. In fact, CISO MAG reports that one-fifth of small businesses in the country have fallen prey to a cyberattack. This, in turn, could cause costly consequences like publishing private information, releasing company records, and losing customer loyalty.

This is why in our ‘Insure Your Small Business To Keep You Covered’ post we shared that it’s essential to prepare yourself for any situation that could endanger your business. So, how exactly can you protect yourself from potential cyber threats?

Strengthen Your Passwords

Chances are, your password is something that can easily be remembered. While this may be convenient, it can actually do more harm than good, as hackers can break into accounts just by making a simple guess.

Forbes reports that some of the most commonly hacked passwords are ‘123456’, ‘password’, and ‘abc123’. To this end, you and your employees should change and strengthen your passwords — from making them longer to adding special characters and even combining uppercase and lowercase letters. If you’re worried it might be too complicated to remember, you can install a password manager (essentially, an encrypted vault that stores all passwords) for your small business.

Protect Your Wi-Fi Network

Just like your email and other business accounts, it’s equally important your small business’ Wi-Fi network is also secured. This is because if someone can access your Wi-Fi network, it’ll be much easier for them to obtain your data and passwords. To protect your router from possible hackers, be sure that you’ve changed the default to a stronger, longer password that only your employees know. If you have clients who might need to connect, you can set up a guest Wi-Fi network for them to use.

Invest in the Right Tools

Installing programs that can heighten your data security can be very important for your small business. A good place to start is investing in a firewall and antivirus software, before considering more advanced tools like a secure VPN. If your team stores and shares files regularly, it’s also a good idea to invest in a good cloud storage and file sharing service. The file sharing services on Box show how they not only help you do away with large email attachments or cumbersome flash drives; they also come with boosted security features in compliance with different regulatory frameworks like the HIPAA, FedRAMP, and FINRA. This allows your team to access and share files from anywhere, anytime, and without risk. All in all, these tools will keep your team stay well equipped in case your business encounters a potential cyber threat.

Keep Everyone Informed

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the current health crisis. In fact, Google notes that they’ve noticed over 18 million fraudulent emails in relation to the pandemic that contained either malware or phishing attempts. With more and more cyber threats on the horizon, it’s important that you, as a business owner, not only keep yourself updated, but inform your employees as well. For instance, you can alert them right away when you hear about the latest scam. Alternatively, you can encourage them to follow reliable news sources to boost their cybersecurity knowledge.

Author bio

Having achieved success in real estate and investing, Richard Swarbrick now shares his knowledge with his readers

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