As hackers become more sophisticated and malware more prevalent, it’s more important than ever to make sure your small business has robust, reliable IT security. Smaller businesses are often much more vulnerable to attack, as they don’t always have the money or time to invest in comprehensive IT infrastructure or security.
Avoid Employee Malfeasance or Impropriety
Both current and former employees can be a threat to data security if they are disgruntled and want to cause harm to your company. Even happy, satisfied employees can end up causing data and security breaches through impropriety, negligence, naivete, or ignorance. Investing in a security awareness training (SAT) program will ensure employees know how to safely manage the company’s data and avoid violating the company’s cybersecurity policies. Be sure to outline the standards for appropriate behavior with an Acceptable Use Policy to establish clear consequences for violations. Not sure where to start? Your IT specialist can help you implement training and policies.
Prevent Targeted Attacks
Even seasoned employees can fall victim to targeted attacks. Phishing, password sharing, malware, and viruses can all result in data breaches and data loss. Your IT specialist can install antivirus and email filtering software, as well as help you establish best practices for handling suspected phishing attempts. Without security systems in place, you run the risk of losing customers and shutting down operations until the breach is overcome.
Reduce the Risk of Lost Data
A power outage, system failure, employee error, or targeted attack can all result in crippling data loss for a small business. Entire archives or databases can be wiped out due to one single error or event. An IT specialist can set up automatic backups or cloud storage so that your data is secured, backed up, and recoverable after a data loss.
Improve Internet Security with Firewalls
Firewall security prevents outsiders from accessing data on your private network, so that your business files remain protected and secure. A firewall can also prevent employees from accessing unsafe or inappropriate sites while on your company Wi-Fi, as well as prevent employees from downloading programs or files that may contain viruses. Advanced security tools can also be enabled on computers employees use when working remotely or from home.
Prepare for Data and IT Disaster with a Recovery Plan
Your IT specialist can help you create a reliable disaster recovery plan, so that you won’t suffer from lost clients, income, data, or productivity in the event of a disaster that affects your computer systems or files. Your disaster recovery plan should address a variety of events that could potentially affect your business operations and create a plan for overcoming them. This includes data backup, risk assessments, cloud storage, clear and consistent communication with employees, and penetration testing.
Prevent Unauthorized Access to Data and Files
IT security protocols will also establish procedures that will prevent unauthorized access to your company’s data and files. If employees have laptops that they take home with them or use while working remotely, preventing unauthorized access is crucial in case the laptop is lost or stolen. Each employee should have a separate user account with stringent authorization credentials, multifactor authentication (MFA), and strong passwords that change periodically and are never shared. Administrative access should only be granted to your IT specialist and key personnel.
Secure Access to Your Wi-Fi Networks
Your business Wi-Fi account should be secure, protected, and hidden. The password should not be shared with guests, visitors, or temporary employees. Employees and other personnel can be granted Wi-Fi access through desktops and laptops without being given the Wi-Fi password. Separate wireless networks - or VLANs - should be put in place for employees, guests, visitors, and temporary employees to access while using their mobile devices or personal computers.
Develop a System for Passwords and Authentication
Your IT services company will make sure that each employee has his or her own login for the computer system, and that passwords are changed every three months and meet security standards for length, characters used, and uniqueness. Implementing a password management tool will encourage the use of strong passwords that can be securely shared and stored. Your IT specialist may recommend using multifactor authentication to gain entry into secure files or systems. Access to certain files and systems should be limited to authorized employees only.
Contact Our IT Specialists at Silverado Technologies for More IT Information
At Silverado Technologies, we’re a women-owned IT company specializing in robust, strategic IT solutions for small businesses throughout Arizona. We have years of experience in the information technology field, and we make sure to stay on top of the latest trends, advancements, and improvements in the field so that we can offer our clients exceptional service and the best professional IT advice possible. We care about our Arizona community and are wholly invested in ensuring their business is secure, protected, and streamlined. To schedule a consultation, call us today at (520) 903-1580 or contact us online.
