If you own a business, you know that keeping it safe and secure is a top priority. Without protecting both your finances and your data, it’s easy to end up in debt and lose the trust of your customers.
With so many potential threats out there, it can be challenging to know where to begin. You want to be safe, but you also don’t want to spend millions trying to secure everything.
In this article, we are going to discuss five tips that you should follow to get started.
Sound interesting? Then keep on reading.
Check Physical Assets and Plan for Emergencies
Before you consider focusing on your technology, it’s a good idea to start with your physical security. Any business can become a target for theft or vandalism and you’ll need to implement the proper measures.
Things like strict access controls, locking doors and windows, and installing security cameras are all steps you can take. It’s also critical to focus on how you can protect your assets in the event of an emergency, whether it be economic instability or a natural disaster.
A backup fund can prove incredibly beneficial, but try and keep up with current political events too. Whether you’re learning about the Philip Esformes case, or reading up on the latest regulations, news sources will come in handy.
Secure Your Network
Moving forward, it’s time to look at securing your network. This allows you to prevent unauthorized access to your data. One easy way to do this is to use strong passwords and change them frequently.
You should also consider using two-factor authentication, which requires an additional verification step. Additionally, check that your network is protected with a firewall and that you have the latest anti-virus software installed.
Train Your Employees
Your employees are your first line of defense when it comes to security. They can either help protect your data or may cause a breach.
Train them on best security practices and help them understand what scams to watch out for. This should also be ongoing and reinforced regularly to keep security awareness fresh in their minds.
Back-Up Your Data
No matter how much you try to secure your business, accidents can happen. Always have data backups in place so that you can access them in the event of an emergency.
It’s a good idea to make sure your plan utilizes both off-site and cloud-based storage solutions and that you have access to IT support. Trust us when we say, you’ll be thankful to have the extra help.
Conduct Regular Security Assessments
Lastly, once you have the above completed, be sure that you are conducting regular security assessments to gauge the effectiveness of your security measures. This will help you identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
A few ideas include vulnerability scans, threat detection, and penetration testing, which should be performed by professional security experts. It’s also critical to update your software regularly.
Final Words
As you can see, protecting your business requires ongoing effort. By following these five tips, you’ll be able to create a comprehensive security plan that will help you keep your business safe and secure.