Cyber Security for Small Businesses

As an owner of a small business, securing your technology may be the last thing on your todo list. The technology that you have invested in is meant to make your life easier, but when left unsecured it can take up a lot of your valuable time to clean up. You may think that your business is too small or niche to be a target for online criminals, but this just isn’t the case. Criminals can steal your sensitive data, lock your devices, and cause all kinds of problems for any kind of business. Here are some things every business should do to protect your data and keep your computers running smoothly.

Update your software

Regular updates to your computers can keep your antiviral services up to date. When it comes to online security, newer software is almost always better. If you are worried a new update will interfere with your business practices, having a designated IT professional on your team can inform you about risks and benefits of newer updates. 

Secure your sensitive data

Making sure you have strong passwords protecting your files is crucial to keeping your data in the right hands. Know exactly who has access to your data and limit access to those who don’t need it. Keep backups in case of emergency. Taking the time to secure your sensitive data can just take a few minutes compared to the time it would take to recover the data in the event that it was lost.

Secure your router

Having a strong and private password on your Wi-Fi router. Hackers with your Wi-Fi password can gain access to the traffic running through your system. It is recommended that you change your Wi-Fi password every 6 months. If your Wi-Fi password is going to be something you give out to a large number of customers or staff, make sure it is completely unique and not at all similar to passwords to other services such as your bank or personal devices. 

Teach your staff

Make sure your staff is aware of possible threats to your business. Make sure they know not to click on suspicious links or visit unsafe websites. Make sure sensitive information is not being stored on your employee’s personal devices or accounts. Ensure their passwords are secure and private. Communicate with your staff regularly about your policies on passwords, files, and data to prevent accidents.