So, you pay an IT professional and outsource some, if not all, of your IT support. Even with all of that technical support staff in place though, your employees can inadvertently cause breaches. Your staff should participate in your small business security plan. It is imperative to make sure that employees understand how to use company resources. In addition, consequences should be in place and communicated to employees for failing to follow security protocols; this is of the utmost importance.
We suggest you work with an experienced IT consultant on your plan for data breach. Because such attacks are so prevalent, it’s best to prepare for the worst. What is your backup plan to get your business back up and running in the event of data loss? How will you handle the impact of exposing personal identifying information of employees, customers, and vendors?
Consider hacking yourself to identify vulnerabilities by hiring appropriate consulting firms or IT specialists to audit your present system in search of weaknesses. Only then can you begin to make changes that will better protect your business, your network, and your clientele.
As you develop best practices to protect your small business from cyber threats, do some research. The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center’s (NCCIC) website can help you create a solid cyber security plan for your business. You may want to establish guidelines around the following three security topics as you teach your employees how to make digital safety a daily habit.
Stay tuned for Part III in this series, where I talk about software updates, passwords, and VPNs, coming in about a week.
Whether you are a business, individual, or non-profit – feel free to reach out to us with any follow-up questions. With one call or email we will provide you with professional, complimentary advice – no obligation. Just contact us at info@czarbeer.com, or call (212) 397-2970 and we will be happy to help you and answer your questions.