Malware. Data breaches. Breaking and entering. Is your company protected against all of these threats? If not, you certainly at risk.
Every day, the world of technology and business evolves, and with the threats that face our nation’s industries. Does your team have the knowledge and preventative measures in place to protect your products and the information of your customers? Regardless of your answer, it may be time for an upgrade. Let’s discuss some of the tech that can help your business stay secure.
Protect your data
Whether you have an online business or a brick-and-mortar enterprise, your data is the life-blood of your organization. Whether it is customer information or internal records, you need to keep this information protected. Data leaks can happen for any number of reasons, from natural disasters to cybercrime, so you need to have a plan of action ahead of time. Any information leaked into the wrong hands can create problems. Even an email address could allow a hacker to infiltrate a customer’s entire life.
To that end, you must back up all data to secure servers that are maintained regularly. Ideally, these servers should be separated from your main computers, so if your primary systems go down, your backups remain intact. It is also a good idea to encrypt this data so that even if the data is stolen, it cannot be used. As additional protection, effective firewalls and the use of a private network can also keep intruders at bay.
Once data becomes obsolete, it must be properly discarded. If you still maintain paper forms, all necessary copies should be stored safely, and sometimes for a predetermined amount of time. When they are no longer needed, they should be shredded. The same goes for old computers and tech equipment. Hard drives and similar equipment should also be destroyed so they can no longer be accessed, and if you are not sure how, do some research on professional shredding services to make sure it is done right.
Defend against cyberattacks
While the evolution of technology has improved how we work and reach customers, it has also opened doors to cybercriminals with an eye on your private information. As a business, you never want to be in a position to have to repair your reputation after a data breach occurs, so prevention is key. If you are hit with a piece of malware like spyware or a virus, you will need your teams to be aware of how to restore your files from your back-up system.
You absolutely need to keep your systems secure. In addition to complex passwords that involve numbers and special characters, your administrators should also implement two-factor authentication that also requires employees to enter the number from a physical token that a hacker couldn’t possibly know. Then, antivirus software must be used regularly, with weekly scans that tell you where any vulnerabilities lie so you can fix the holes.
These days, it is not just the computers that need protecting, but mobile devices as well. We live in a time of BYOD (bring your own device), where businesses are showing an increase in productivity as employees use cell phones and tablets to work from anywhere. If a mobile device is hacked, the criminal could then have access to your entire infrastructure, so software must be updated regularly, only secure apps should be installed, and the devices should never be used on insecure public wifi networks.
Don’t forget physical security
It can be so easy to get drawn into the world of cybersecurity, that many businesses forget to keep their physical offices and storefronts protected. This is especially important when you have outsiders coming in for meetings, as greedy competitors can also become a threat. The first line of defense can be a metal detector or the use of security wands to ensure that cell phones are not brought into secured areas.
When it comes to protecting your physical inventory, spare no expense, especially after hours. Alarm systems and security cameras can do wonders to deter crime and help you find the bad guys if the unfortunate were to happen. Many smart security systems allow you to monitor your business remotely and see what your security camera sees from anywhere. Keycode door locks also ensure that only authorized personnel can enter the premises.
All external doors need to be well-lit, and lights that are triggered by motion will not only allow your security camera to see the action but can also scare off potential intruders. Of course, even high-tech security options are subject to human error, so have a culture of security at your business that encourages employees to close and lock doors when they leave the premises. On top of all this tech, a business insurance policy can make you whole again after an incident occurs.
As a business owner, you have worked too hard to see your efforts stolen or reduced by an unexpected security scare. Use this technology to your advantage and protect what is rightfully yours.