Cybersecurity Tips For Small Business Owners

It's natural for small business owners to think that they won't be victims of cyber attacks. Most of the news surrounding hacking and data breaches involves large corporations, but that is because that's where a high number of victims are affected. Research shows that 71% of all cyber attacks happen to businesses with less than 100 employees.

Hackers may find they have an easier time going after small businesses and start-ups that aren't prepared for a security breach. So while they might get less information from a small business, thieves will have an easier time accessing that information.

If your company keeps any time sensitive information on a computer network—whether that is personal information, credit card info, or other vital data—you need to ensure your cybersecurity is top-notch, so you, your business and your clients are fully protected.

Here are some tips for enhancing your cybersecurity.

Keep your employees informed

The unfortunate truth is that human error is one of the portholes through which hackers can attack your business. Employees are constantly hooked up to your network, whether that's through email, company-provided computers, or working from home.

Make sure you have security protocols for accessing your network, and ensure your employees are aware of them. Keep a checklist handy that your employees—and anyone who accesses your network—can access. Regularly update your policies to reflect the new techniques cybercriminals develop.

Here are some questions to ask: Are there rules about when employees can be connected to your network or what they can do while connected? Do you have policies about password protection? Are employees allowed to take company laptops and tablets home with them? If so, what are the rules around doing so?

Employee education is one of the most important defenses against cyber attack. For lack of training, your own team members might inadvertently install malware or release confidential information to a criminal masquerading as a trusted contact.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Many businesses overlook the importance of regularly changing passwords that guard critical systems and confidential data.

Refresh your passwords every few months, ensuring they are at least 8 characters long and a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Steer clear of using personal information, like your child's name or your date of birth, as these combinations are much easier for cyber attackers to guess.

Update your network regularly

Your computers, network and system should be updated regularly. These updates provide additional protection for your company. As developers become aware of new threats, they create programs designed to prevent the latest hacker techniques and spread those through updates. Old, outdated networks are easier for hackers to access.

In addition to updating your network, take the time to regularly inspect your system for weaknesses and take steps to address those vulnerabilities.

Install a Firewall and Anti-virus Software

Cyber attackers use highly sophisticated automated software to seek out and infiltrate poorly defended networks.

Ensure your business doesn't get caught in their net by installing a firewall that can control incoming and outgoing data and help prevent unauthorized access to your network.

Other practical steps you can take to protect yourself include:

• ensuring your anti-virus software is always up to date

• updating your browser and applications like Java and Flash to the latest version

• Protecting your WiFi by making it invisible to outsiders, encrypted and secure.

Be aware of information breaches

It isn't just credit card information that hackers are after. Personal information, passwords, and other sensitive data can be sold and used for fraudulent purposes. Your business may not collect credit card and other payment information, but that doesn't mean you don't have data that's valuable for hackers.

If you have any information that could be bought, used for fraud or identity theft, or used for extortion, you need to take steps to protect that information.

Once your network has been hacked, you risk losing your customers' trust. Once that trust is gone, it's hard to get it back.

Keep up-to-date on the latest scams and threats

Monitor the media and security sites to keep yourself informed about the latest techniques being used by scammers so that you'll be better able to identify them if they approach you. For example, phone calls to your business asking your staff for information, or that there is an issue with the company computers that the caller can help fix.

Final thoughts

Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because you run a small business or don't collect payment information that your business is safe from hackers. There is a lot of private information available that hackers and thieves can use to make money from, and businesses small and large are targets.

Be aware of vulnerabilities in your system and take the steps to address them before it's too late.