When you own a small business, it is important to ensure you are doing your best to protect it. Protecting sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information is indispensable. Businesses are entrusted with sensitive data, and they’re expected to keep that information confidential, dispose of it using a trusted paper shredding company, and handle it with discretion and care. With average data breach fines running into the millions, a secure paper shredding service is one of the best ways to protect your company from revenue loss and fines. In addition to the cash, legal documents, records, and other costly business items, you also have to protect the people who work for you. Below are some security tips to help protect the assets and employees of your business.
1) Security Cameras
An investment that is often overlooked for small businesses is security. However, it pays to be proactive and install security cameras to protect your business. There are two main purposes for installing business security cameras on the premises. Two of the key benefits of security cameras are that they act as a deterrent and give you peace of mind so you can focus on building your business. Suppose you need a helping hand regarding the IT needs of your business. In that case, you will find professionals who excel in their expertise areas in these managed IT services in Toronto.
2) Alarm System
Modern alarm systems come with a lot of electronic features designed to sense, decide and react to specific events. When working with an alarm system company, they will help you define which events are ones that pose a threat to your business. For example, your alarm system may go off when it detects movement outside of normal business hours.
3) Cybersecurity
When it comes to protecting your business data (and your customer’s data), the margin for error is not very big. Most people seem to think only big businesses are at risk of their data being hacked. However, small businesses are finding themselves just as vulnerable. Small business owners should take precautions such as using strong passwords and teaching their employees how to stay safe against cybercriminals. A common risk involves phishing scams. Cyber thieves will send links in emails to employees in an attempt to get them to give up access to the system. Teach employees to be on the lookout for misspelled domains, unfamiliar links, and emails from unfamiliar people.
Small businesses tend to share data or bulk files using standard file transfer protocol (FTP). FTP refers to a process involving the transfer of files between computer devices over a network. It means that one party permits another to send and receive files over the internet. However, this method can compromise data security because it’s not encrypted. For this reason, it’s critical to implement secure data or file sharing. Small business owners might want to consider a managed file transfer (MFT) solution. For instance, Globalscape offers MFT software that businesses can take advantage of to share files more securely than standard FTP. L1 Escrow software also provides protection at reasonable prices.
4) Employee Background Checks
Threats to a small business can easily come from within. Owners should consider running background checks on employees before hiring them. In a small business environment, employees are often found interacting with each other more closely and taking on more than one role. Background checks allow small business owners to get a better picture of the person they will be letting into the business and allowing access to sensitive information. The check is also a great way to ensure no criminals or drug users are being hired that could end up posing a legal or security risk to the business, employees or customers.
5) Create a Social Media Policy
Social networking comes with its own category of security issues and concerns. Technology platforms make it easy for information to be accessed. Once the information leaves a place of business, it is very hard to have it recalled. Your email and social media policy should include details on what is considered appropriate content for posts and emails concerning the company. It should always be assumed that nothing said on the internet is private.
6) Erase Memory From Hard Drives
Small businesses commonly go through various devices as the company grows. Before getting rid of an old copy machine or computer, be sure the hard drive is erased. For data and identity thieves, a computer thrown in the trash can be a gold mine. Even a copier can store documents on its internal hard drive until those files are overwritten. Unless proper steps are taken to ensure any device thrown away is completely clean of data, it may create a security breach risk.
The time it takes you to erase hard drive data is worth it because you don’t have to worry about data leakage caused by unauthorized access on disposed of hard drives.
Takeaway
Small business owners should implement the security tips shared above to keep their operations smooth. Security threats can be detrimental, resulting in data leaks and brute force cyberattacks. By taking simple security measures, small businesses can prevent data loss and security breaches. Make sure to install security cameras and an alarm system in your business establishment. Investing in more secure cybersecurity solutions like managed file transfer and ensuring data removal from hard drives of old computers or devices can also help secure your business.
