Cybersecuity and the Internet Small Business

internet small business security Cybersecuity and the Internet Small BusinessCybersecuity and the Internet Small Business

New job opportunities are being created every day on the internet as small local businesses reach out into a global expansion.  While small businesses are now able to compete with much larger corporations using computer systems, connections to the internet and even cloud computing, one area that they are falling short in is their security measures.  Digital information has always been gold to technologically sophisticated thieves, but even less technically adept cyberthieves are using the vulnerabilities of unprotected website businesses to access client information.

The FCC urges small businesses to take a harder look at their security systems for protecting their client’s information.  The FCC released a checklist in which small businesses can better protect themselves and their clients from data theft and potentially, wide-scale fraud.  The FCC suggests the following ten tips:

Training your employees in the principles of security

In your small business, you should establish basic guidelines for all employees to follow to protect your client’s data.  To ensure that all employees are in-line with the guidelines, periodic testing may produce a positive learning experience.  Make it clear to your employees that there are stiff penalties for businesses that have lax security and have that security breached.

Virus Protection

In today’s internet business environment it is irresponsible not to protect your data and your client’s data from the threat of malware, viruses and the like.  Updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software should be on every server, cloud server, cloud storage service and every computer in your business.

Firewall Security

Firewalls are programs that keep anyone outside of the company from accessing the company’s internal network, computers and data.  If you have multiple employees working from different locations using devices like laptops, then it may be a good idea to lock the firewall in an on position.  Giving employees the option to disable firewalls can potentially lead to a massive flaw in your company security.

Maintaining Software Patches and Software Updates

Operating systems, browsers and general software that your business uses everyday is probably updated at least twice a year by the software developer.  Most updates can be set to happen automatically.  Be certain that your software is the latest version, especially with operating systems, because most often those updates will be released to close security holes that were located.

It is also very important to have your data centers monitored by close circuit television as both a precaution and as a deterrent to thieves.

Other suggestions that the FCC makes for small businesses to protect their data are the following:

 

  • Make backups of all important data, documents, and financial files and make those backups an automatic process.
  • Protect your Wi-Fi network by securing and hiding it.  Not broadcasting the name of your Wi-Fi is just one step in your Wi-Fi network’s complete security.
  • Don’t have employees share one account for access instead; each employee should have their own account.  This is not only for security, but it also offers another level of accountability.
  • Block the ability to install software on your employee’s accounts.  This makes it so your employees cannot install non-essential software, but it also blocks malicious software from trying to load unauthorized programs.
  • The simplest method of security in your plan should be to have passwords set to expire at least every three months.  Most operating systems can be setup to handle password change reminders automatically.

 

If you would like a printable copy of the suggestions for small business security made by the FCC, then you may access that here.