Small
businesses have become a large target for criminals seeking sensitive data,
because they typically have limited resources or personnel dedicated to
information system security. To combat cyber-attacks, the U.S. Small Business
Administration recommends following these 9 tips to keep your business secure.
1. Use
the Federal Communications Commission’s Small Biz Cyber Planner: The Small Biz
Cyber Planner is a security tool that walks users through a series of questions
to determine which cyber security strategies should be included in their
planning guide, and also generates a custom PDF that serves as a cyber-security
strategy template.
2. Establish
cybersecurity rules for your employees: Establish rules regarding how to handle
and protect personal information, and clearly detail the penalties for
violating the policies.
3. Protect
against viruses, spyware, etc.: Install, use and regularly update antivirus and
antispyware software on every computer used in your business.
4. Educate
employees about safe social media practices: Employees should be trained to
post online in a way that does not reveal any trade secrets or sensitive
information to the public or competing businesses.
5. Manage
and asses risk: Ask yourself what you have worth protecting, and assess the
impact of that important information being compromised. Make a personalized
cybersecurity plan according to what is important for your business.
6. Download
and install updates when they are available: All software vendors regularly
provide updates to their products to correct security problems and improve
functionality. It is best to configure all software to install updates
automatically.
7. Make backup copies of important business data and information: Regularly backup the
data on every computer used in your business. It is best to backup data
automatically if possible, at least once a week. Depending on your business,
backups may need to be processed more frequently.
8. Control
physical access to computers and network components: Prevent access or use of
business computer by unauthorized individuals, and always store and lock laptop
computers, as they are the easiest targets for theft.
9. Secure
Wi-Fi networks: Always require a password for access to your business’ Wi-Fi
network, and consider hiding the network so it does not broadcast the network
name for further protection. Also, it is advised to change the administrative
password that was on your router when it was first purchased.
518 Arbor Hill Rd.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Ph: 336-996-3338
