You’ve worked hard to overcome numerous challenges to establish your small business. Now is the time to enhance your security to protect your company, employees, customers, and business secrets. After all, one security breach can bring operations to a halt and cause irreversible damage. There are three threat vectors to watch out for — online, internal, and physical. Let’s look at ways to counter all of them.

#1 Online Threats

Cybercriminals are launching online threats against businesses of all sizes nowadays for several reasons. For one, more companies are adopting remote working procedures, leaving staff untrained in cybersecurity open to threat vectors like phishing and smishing. For the other, businesses are offering more online options to customers through websites and mobile apps that hackers can target.

Start by subscribing to an endpoint detection and response system that secures every desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile device in your company from malware attacks. At the very least, any device that accesses company data must have anti-malware technology. Thankfully, you can find free virus protection options that shield your organization from viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and even some ransomware strains.

Top up your security by regularly patching your operating systems. For example, the dangerous WannaCry ransomware still hits computers that didn’t use the 2017 Windows security update. To further protect your business from ransomware, back up your data regularly. Finally, train your staff to recognize spear-phishing attacks that use social engineering to trick people.

#2 Internal Threats

Unfortunately, many small businesses face internal cybersecurity threats from their own staff. Anyone, from disgruntled employees to contractors, to corporate spies to professionals secretly selling data on the Dark Web, can be the source of a security breach. Here are some steps you can take to secure your small business from internal threats:

• Download anti-malware software to shield computers from malicious software.
• Forbid employees from using unauthorized software, devices, or peripherals on company computers.
• Use security software like business keyloggers to monitor keystrokes on computers that access sensitive data.
• Offer company laptops and devices to employees that carry safety software.
• Initiate a strict bring your own device (BYOD) policy.
• Avoid photocopying sensitive information like customer data.
• Only release hard copies of critical data with watermarks.
• Scan the office periodically for audio recording devices.
• Set your content management software to allow access on a need-to-know basis.

#3 Physical Threats

You don’t have to go over your budget to counter physical threats like break-ins and the like. For starters, you can purchase security kits from the Internet that have alarms, cameras, intercoms, and more. Such devices are easy to set up, can help you monitor your office, and gather evidence to prosecute trespassers.

Please also secure company computers with complicated passwords that prevent thieves from easily accessing data. Another good option is to beef up encryption to prevent threat actors from reading information. You can also take advantage of device location features to find stolen computers and smartphones. Some software can also help you remotely wipe data. Just remember to make copies of your data on the cloud regularly.

Shield your business with the best security investments to safeguard your company’s future today!

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