As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. You’re responsible for marketing your business, selling your products or services, and delivering exceptional customer service. But what about cyber security? It’s one of those things that’s easy to put off until “later” – but later may be too late.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most important aspects of small business cyber security. We’ll also provide a business cyber security checklist that you can use to make sure your online operations are as safe as possible.
Importance of Small Business Cyber Security
As a small business owner, you might be thinking that cyber security is something that only large businesses need to worry about. After all, you’re not a Fortune 500 company – so why would hackers target you? The truth is, small businesses are actually at a higher risk of being hacked than their larger counterparts.
One recent report said that small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger companies. That’s because hackers know that small businesses often have fewer resources and less experience when it comes to cyber security. As a result, they can be an easy target.
Current threats for small business cyber security include phishing and ransomware attacks. One study showed that in 2020, 28% of data breach victims were small businesses.
Our business cyber security checklist will help you combat cybercriminals and keep your business safe:
Keep Software and Operating Systems Up-to-Date
One of the most important things you can do to protect your business is to keep your software and operating systems up-to-date. This includes elements like your computer’s operating system, as well as any software that you use for your business (such as accounting or customer relationship management software).
By keeping these tools up-to-date, you’ll ensure that your business is using the most recent security features. This can help to protect your data from being hacked or stolen.
Keep an Updated Inventory
It’s important to know what devices and software your business is using, including laptops, smartphones, and cloud-based applications.
By keeping an updated inventory, you’ll be able to quickly identify any devices or software that may be out-of-date or compromised. This can help you to keep your business safe from potential cyber threats.
Train Employees Regularly
One of the best ways to protect your business is to train your employees on cyber security best practices. Teach them the importance of using strong passwords, being aware of phishing scams, and knowing what to do if they suspect that their computer has been compromised.
You should train your employees on these things on a regular basis – at least once per year. But it’s also a good idea to provide refresher courses whenever there’s a major change in the cyber security landscape (such as a new type of malware that’s going around).
Set Up a Data Recovery Plan
In the event that your data is hacked or stolen, you need to have a plan in place for how you’ll recover it. This includes having backups of all important data (such as customer information and financial records), as well as a plan for how you’ll get your business back up and running if your systems are down for an extended period of time.
You should also consider investing in cyber insurance, which can help to cover the costs of recovery in the event of a successful attack.
Be Aware of New Threats
The cyber security landscape is constantly changing, which means that new threats are always emerging. It’s important to keep up-to-date on the latest threats and to make sure that your employees are also aware of them.
Use Strong Passwords
One of the simplest things you can do to protect your business is to use strong passwords for all of your accounts.
A strong password should be at least eight characters long and should include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Address Email Security
Email is one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to business accounts. As such, it’s important to have a strong email security strategy in place.
Use two-factor authentication for your account and encrypt all sensitive data that you send via email. Work with your IT provider to make sure you are using a secure email service.
Reach Out to the Professionals
By following these simple tips from the cyber security checklist for small businesses, you can help to protect your business from the ever-growing threat of cyber attacks.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to protecting your business from cyber threats, reach out to the professionals at Tech Rockstars. We can help you to assess your risks and put a plan in place that’s tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.
