6 IT Security Best Practices for SMBs
When most people think of cyber attacks, big corporations and sprawling governmental organizations are the first entities to come to mind. However, there is another group that is hit more frequently than these megaliths: small and medium-sized businesses, or SMBs. Any business which employs fewer than 250 people may be classified as a SMB. This means there are more SMBs than corporations and more people who are employed by SMBs. About two-thirds of cyber-attacks target SMBs, so it is imperative that these smaller businesses safeguard their information.
These tips will help business owners protect their cyber assets.
Know the Risks
In order to best protect your valuable information, you must first understand how it may be targeted and acquired. This involves running a risk assessment of your business to find potential weaknesses, understand how likely and how detrimental a breach would be, and implementing security controls and taking precautionary steps to reduce any potential damage a cyber attack could do to your systems. When you understand the risks to your business, you learn how to protect your business from those risks.
Teach Your Employees about Cyber Security
A well-educated workforce is a more careful workforce, and being careful with information is the first step toward maintaining a secure environment for your business. Employees should be made aware of potential Internet scams and the differences between safe and unsafe websites, files, and e-mails. As individual security strengthens, the business’s overall security strengthens as well.
Set Up Firewalls Along With Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Programs
It may seem obvious, but an effective firewall combined with the proper defensive programs will significantly reduce your business’s risks. The key to maintaining a strong defense against cyber-attacks is to keep all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs up to date; automatic updates should be enabled, and the version of your company’s programs should be checked regularly.
Reduce Employee Access to Critical Information
The fewer people who may access your business’s information, the safer that information will be. Employees must only be allowed access as needed, both to digital data and the physical space where computers and servers are stored. This further ensures your data’s safety.
Encrypt Data for Maximum Security
Adding extra defensive layers to your cyber security such as encryption requires professional assistance but is a step that can’t be overlooked for sensitive information in you systems. Data encryption ensures that even if a valuable computer or device is taken and/or broken into, the thieves won’t be able to access your business’s important information.
Regularly Back Up Your Data
Once a data file is lost, it is gone forever. However, a duplicate backup of your business’s important files may be stored off-site or in the cloud for maximum security. It is best to automatically back up your data every week to ensure it is kept up to date and secure.
Most IT services providers in Phoenix can help with cyber security, but Phreedom Technologies specializes in SMB assistance. Every Small to Midsize business should invest in cyber security because a safe business is a profitable business.