A lot of small business owners make a terrible mistake of taking security lightly. They think that only large companies are exposed to security threats. However, this is far away from reality. Cybercriminals and common thieves often target smaller organizations.
They do it because they know that they don’t take security seriously. What’s even worse is the fact that these thefts can damage small companies more than big corporations. They don’t have backup resources to get back on track. A serious theft can completely destroy your business and your dreams.
Luckily, with a bit of effort, you can secure your business to avoid this kind of scenario.
Talk to Your Employees About Security and Why it Matters
Your security is as strong as your weakest link, and your weakest link is your employees. No matter how much you try to secure your business, both online and offline, your employees can easily make your efforts worthless.
For example, you can have an alarm system, but what if someone leaves the door unlocked and the alarm unarmed? There won’t be anything to stop a break-in. This is why you need to start with your employees first.
Simply remind people of the security protocols, how to behave online, and create a culture where being responsible about security is praised.
Make Your WiFi Secure
One of the most significant online weaknesses of your business is your WiFi connection. First of all, make a policy that limits WiFi to your employees only. If you can, don’t let anyone know the password of the connection so that they can’t spread it around.
If you want guests to use your WiFi as well, invest in another separate network. Furthermore, you can also further secure the data on your network by installing a VPN for your business.
A virtual private network encrypts all of the data and makes it difficult for someone else to gain access to it without authorization.
Install Custom Locks
Typical locks have a lot of weak points that can easily be exploited. You might think that burglaries aren’t something you should worry about, but offices are often targeted. Most serial production locks have similar mechanisms that can be figured out quickly and broken down.
It’s generally a good idea to get custom locks installed. They aren’t expensive and can be installed on various kinds of doors. Of course, they aren’t impenetrable, but they aren’t as easy to break into. In most cases, this is enough, as the burglar won’t have that much time to get into your space.
Backup Your Data
Make sure to backup important data stored on computers. When vital information gets stolen, or you simply lose it during a malfunction, you need to have a copy. On the other hand, if you use some cloud software for your business information, ask the vendor to perform backups.
This information can be your client list, finances, projects, product information, and so on. This is how you can continue with your business and get back on track even when losing vital business data. It can save you a lot of time and money and also protect your business.
Update all Devices Regularly
All of your mobile devices, laptops, tablets, and desktops should be updated regularly. All of their browsers and operating systems get updated with new security fixes that improve your security. Make it your company policy that everyone has to update their devices when they see the notifications.
Additionally, all of your business software should be updated as well. For example, if you have a cloud-based project management system, it should be updated to get the latest features and protect all your information.
Limit Device Access to Employees Only
Nobody outside of your company should be able to access your accounts or computers. Even if the person is someone close to you and you trust them, make sure to let them know that you have limitations. For example, if a client asks to use a company computer to do something, give him or her your private laptop.
On the other hand, even your employees shouldn’t have access to all the information. For example, if you have an accountant, only he or she should know your cash flow and all other information related to finances. This is how you will reduce the chances of security issues while increasing accountability.
Bottom Line
All of these security measures are quite simple, and every small business can implement them. They don’t require a lot of money, and in most cases, there are no financial investments at all. You only need to make an effort to set up these security measures.
The result will be a drastic security increase and greater accountability. At the same time, your whole team will take your company more seriously.
Last Updated on by somya909