It’s natural for small business owners to assume they won’t be victims of a cyber attack – most of the news involves large corporations. But hackers often find small businesses and start-ups easier targets precisely because they aren’t prepared. If your company keeps any sensitive information on a computer network, you need your cyber-security to be top-notch so you, your business and your clients are protected. Here are some tips.
1. Keep your employees informed
Human error is one of the main ways hackers get in. Make sure you have security protocols for accessing your network and that your employees know them – keep a checklist handy for anyone who accesses the network, and update your policies regularly as new threats emerge. Ask questions like: are there rules about when and how employees connect? Do you have password policies? Can staff take company laptops and tablets home, and if so, under what rules?
2. Update your network regularly
Your computers, network and systems should be updated regularly – as developers become aware of new threats they create protections and push them out through updates, so old, outdated networks are easier to breach. Alongside updating, regularly inspect your systems for weaknesses and address any vulnerabilities.
3. Be aware of information breaches
It isn’t just card data hackers are after – personal information, passwords and other sensitive data can be sold and used for fraud. Even if you don’t collect payment information, you likely hold data that’s valuable to criminals. If you have anything that could be used for fraud, identity theft or extortion, take steps to protect it. Once your network is breached, you risk losing your customers’ trust, and that’s hard to win back.
4. Keep up to date on the latest scams
Monitor the media and security sites so you can recognise the latest techniques – for example, calls to your business asking staff for information, or claiming there’s an issue with your computers that the caller can help fix.
Final thoughts
Don’t assume that because you run a small business, or don’t collect payment information, you’re safe. There’s plenty of private information criminals can profit from, and businesses of every size are targets. Be aware of the vulnerabilities in your systems and address them before it’s too late.