If you’re like many business owners or managers, you’re searching for cybersecurity tips to keep data safe, customer information secure — and your company out of harm’s way. (And with good reason!) Technology plays a substantial role in virtually every aspect of modern-day business, from payroll calculations, to client communications and information storage. When sensitive data makes its way into the wrong hands, it can have lasting repercussions.
At Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates (BCH) we believe solid cybersecurity practices are an important element of any risk management approach. Here, we’ve pulled together some simple cybersecurity tips to help keep your company on safer footing moving forward. Just remember, “evaluate, educate and update.”
Evaluate
Constant improvement is the name of the game in our digital world. While businesses are finding new ways to integrate technology into their work, hackers and other ne’er-do-wells are finding new ways to crack codes. Regular reviews of your practices and systems can help ensure you have the right precautions in place. Make it a point to gather a dedicated team, including your risk advisor, every six months or so to consider your company’s existing practices. Talk through issues such as client data storage and antivirus protection, then determine where your potential weaknesses lie — and the best way to tackle improvements. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers helpful resources to get you started.
Educate
A company’s employees are its first — and best — defense against data breaches and other cybersecurity threats. That is, when those employees take proper precautions. Incorporate basic cybersecurity education into your employee onboarding procedures, and be sure to provide regular reminders throughout the year. By clueing team members into everything from the importance of strong passwords, to what to do in the event of a data breach, you help make them more confident in their own work and provide stronger protection for your business and clients. The U.S. Small Business Administration has created a handy resource that illustrates how cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility — along with some great links you can use to train your team.
Update
As we mentioned earlier, technology is always changing, and your protections should follow suit. Update company passwords regularly, especially when team members who had access leave to pursue other employment. Make sure antivirus protections are up to date on work computers and other equipment, and make it a point to review you risk management practices and business insurance at least once per year.
Keeping your data and business protected in the digital age might seem like a monumental task, but simple measures such as the above cybersecurity tips can help. Play it safe out there!