Ensuring Your Small Business is Secure
Easy policies you can implement yourself and when to reach out for further consultation.
The technological world is advancing at an incredible pace. Small businesses are quickly realizing that in order to continue to thrive and increase profit, they need to invest in new technology and new digital business solutions. However, one thing that is often overlooked or ignored is the inherent need for cybersecurity. According to a report put together by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the global cost of cyber crime is estimated to be over $600 billion.
Small businesses have many reasons not to invest in cybersecurity solutions. One big one is that many business owners do not think they are worthy of being targeted. This naive state of mind is what makes their technology the perfect target for attackers. Travelers Institute president Joan Woodward explains that
“Forty-three percent of cybersecurity attacks target small businesses that employ 250 or less people".
This statistic may seem alarming, but the main cause is lack of knowledge. Many small businesses simply do not have the security expertise internally or anyone consulting them. Luckily, I can provide you with a few tips that Montu Solutions can help you implement.
Train your employees on common security best practices and principles. Employees are the number one vulnerability that you as a small business owner face.
Routinely check for anti-virus software, secure operating systems, secure web browsers, and email security on all computers. Also, ensure that all these systems are updated and patched!
Protect against ransomware! The last thing you want is all of your businesses data locked up with you unable to access it and some stranger demanding money from you. Preventing this from happening starts with the first two tips, but you must always plan for the worst. Have physical backups of your data or have it automatically backed up through a cloud provider.
Male sure wifi networks are properly secured, hidden, and managed. Hide your SSID and ensure you change the factory provided default password. Many of those default passwords can be found with a google search of the type of router you have and a little digging.
Last but not least - make sure any application or software you are going to use for your business comes from a reputable company that releases patches for their technology regularly. You do not want to be heavily reliant on an application critical to your business functions that will not be properly maintained, leaving you vulnerable to attacks.
The Takeaway
Hopefully this brief article can serve as a foundation to secure your business and make more educated decisions when searching for tools to help your business grow and remain secure throughout the process. Montu Solutions offers a wide range of cybersecurity consulting services and would be thrilled to help you secure your small business. Questions? Feel free to contact us.