Did you know that, according to a 2016 report, 43 percent of cyber attacks target small business?
How about that only 14 percent of small businesses feel confident in their ability to effectively mitigate a cyber attack?
Pretty scary stuff. As a small business owner, these are statistics that you can’t ignore. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you, your employees, and your customers are protected from any and all vulnerabilities.
Much like identity theft, a cyber attack can happen to anyone, so don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re immune. In this article, you’ll find 3 ways that you can protect your small business from cyber threats.
Consider Cyber Security Insurance
Insurance is one of those things that you hate having (and paying for) until you actually need it. Just like you can purchase house, car, and health insurance, you can buy cyber security insurance for your small business, too.
Cyber liability insurance is designed to protect you and your business from a wide array of cyber security threats. In the event of a security breach, and if your company is held liable, you won’t have to worry about paying a ton of money in a lawsuit…something that could cripple many businesses.
Cyber insurance is important to have if the defenses you have in place fail.
Choose the Right Network Security Software
When it comes to protecting your business from cyber threats, the best defense is a good offense.
This is where choosing the right software, with an effective network scanner, can make all the difference.
Here are some good questions to ask when deciding which to buy:
- Does the software have some sort of patch management feature? Many network security breaches happen due to a missed patch update. This makes sure that’s not the case.
- Does it continuously monitor your network? A good cyber security software consistently scans and watches your network for at-risk programs, ports, devices, and more.
- Does it perform vulnerability assessments? This identifies any potential holes in your network so that they can be fixed before any attacks can squeeze through.
Implement a Strong Password Policy
Far too many cyber security attacks happen because your employees use passwords that aren’t complex enough. This isn’t necessarily their fault, as it’s your responsibility to implement and enforce a strong password policy.
While you may not be able to stop every attack, a robust password will absolutely slow down even the most determined hacker. If the password proves hard to crack, the attacker may just give up and move on to another small business.
Here are a few qualities of a good password policy:
- Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Have your employees change their passwords at least once every 30 days.
- Encourage employees not to store their passwords on any unprotected network or file.
Putting It All Together
The three tips above won’t do much for your business if you choose not to implement them. As a small business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your company from cyber security threats. Don’t make the mistake most others do and think that you’re not a target.
You’ve seen the statistics, and attackers are aiming for small businesses almost as much as big businesses. You, your employees, and your customers are relying on you to keep their information safe.
