Small Business Cybersecurity: 5 Important Tips for Business Owners

Have you ever been a victim of identity theft?

You surely remember feelings of distress, panic, and the emotional toll of losing money or other assets. While you may be able to reclaim losses, the experience likely made you think twice about that credit card company, email service, or program.

Now, step into the shoes of your customers. How would they react to a data breach resulting in identity theft?

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to your customers to prevent cybersecurity disasters.

Start with this quick guide to building a small business cybersecurity strategy.

Don’t “DIY” Small Business Cybersecurity

You have enough on your plate as a small business owner. Now is not the time to create a cybersecurity infrastructure with little experience. In fact, DIY computer systems are a leading cause of web performance issues, data loss, and more problems.

Many business owners think that downloading antivirus software is enough. Such solutions may be enough for solopreneurs who work at home with one computer on one network. As your business grows, so do your security vulnerabilities, and you’ll need an infrastructure to match.

For example, you’ll need to encrypt your network. You can also customize your network to allow (and block) specific sites to maintain productivity levels. You’ll also need user permissions and regular network audits. There are many variables to consider, so having an IT consultant on site is extremely helpful.

If you insist on setting up your own IT infrastructure, you can also seek help from your equipment and software manufacturer’s tech support team. Check out these IT services to get a feel of what’s available for small business owners.

Create a Technology Use Policy

It’s hard to keep track of staff size as your business expands. Thus, you need employee handbooks, meetings, and policies to ensure everyone is on the same page. This approach is also pivotal to cybersecurity.

Include a technology use policy in your employee handbook.

This policy should outline the following protocol examples:

• No sharing of passwords via email or social media
• No disclosing of company information on social media (including off-hours)
• No harmful statements about the company on social media
• No downloading programs (without management permission)

A data erasure and destruction policy should accompany every technology use policy. For example, after an employee resigns, any data left on their devices must be wiped before being reassigned to a new employee. IT managers can also erase data remotely from devices in severe cases.

Take Out the Trash (Without Compromising Security)

Is your IT closet filled to the top with old office equipment?

It’s time to take out the trash, but not before wiping every device clean. These old devices are also called “e-waste.” Unfortunately, it’s another top cause behind identity theft.

Find a trusted technology recycling partner to handle your device destruction needs. These services understand commercial needs, so you don’t have to worry about your old computer ending up in a landfill.

Protect Your Business and Customers

Don’t sacrifice your hard-earned customer trust. Invest in a bulletproof small business cybersecurity solution. Remember to follow all security best practices as you optimize.

Follow the blog for even more helpful tips.