Network security threat to small businesses
When hackers target large organizations like Target and Home Depot, people begin thinking about cyber security and how it might affect their own business. Most don't realize is that even though the big hacking scandals are what makes the news, small businesses are at a significantly higher risk to hacking and cybersecurity threats paired to the big guys. Most small businesses don't have the knowledge or resources to adequately defend against the threats that exist in the technology. Approximately 14 million American small businesses found themselves victims of some kind of online cyber attack in 2016 alone. Small business that does not have any cyber protection plan in place is at high risk of having important information, client data, financial data, and proprietary business systems compromised.
The first thing to do as a small business owner is assessed your risk for cybersecurity tax these common risks include malware, phishing, or a hard security breach and loss of data. The first thing to do is look and see what protections you have in place. Is your antivirus and anti-malware software up-to-date? What specifically does that software do? Does anyone actively service or monitor your protection? The next important question to ask yourself is what the threats are that face your business. Are you more vulnerable to loss of proprietary information, or is your primary risk your client's financial data? Do you have systems that run digitally and are essential to your business processes? For each of these threats or risks you should determine the consequences if they are compromised by an outside attack. Classifying each as high-risk or essential to business versus low risk or minor inconvenience is an important step in determining what actions you should take to protect yourself. After giving these items more in-depth thought you can more accurately assess your current current security system and determine if any changes are needed.
Protecting your network against threats involves more than just buying antivirus software. Keeping anti-virus aoftware up to date and using the software that's applicable to your threats is very important. Managed service provider can help you do that. There are many other precautions that you can take to lower your risk as well. Encourage your employees to build strong passwords and to not write them down. Explain to your team the risk of keeping password information on that same computer, and remind your team members to never walk away from an unlocked or unprotected computer.
Protecting your servers from infiltration is an important step in establishing strong network security. Choosing a secure host for your business website is important if you keep any information processing any payments on that server. Asking potential hosts about their cybersecurity practices will allow you to assess whether or not that host is right for your website. Your managed services provider can help you select the right host and server type.
Limiting your employee access to data will limit human error as well as unfortunate breaches of data involving employee terminations or frustrated staff members. Taking a "need to know" approach with business information will limit unnecessary employee access to data that they don't need. Instituting standards for password changes in physical security among your staff will help prevent human data breach as well.
Taking an active approach to network, website, and client information security will ensure that you never go unprotected. Federal and local laws are likely to penalize companies that get hacked and are determined to have had lower than needed network security. 24 seven continuous monitoring service by a managed services provider like AB and civilian or is the single best solution for small business networks.
