Steps to Keeping Your Business Safe Online
Tips provided by Stay Safe Online.
ASSESS YOUR RISKS
Smaller businesses have become bigger targets for cybercriminals because the bad guys know that they have fewer defense resources than large enterprises.
Questions to Consider:
- What information do you collect?
- How do you store the information?
- Who has access to the information?
- How do you protect your data?
- What steps are you taking to secure your computers, network, email and other tools?
MONITOR THREATS
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to ensure that your business is protected, but it is critical that you understand the online threats to your company’s network. Awareness of key threats will enable you to limit your company’s risk.
Quick Tips:
- Keep a clean machine and software updated. Using the latest browsers and version of programs help defend you against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if available.
- When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer.
- Don’t open unsolicited email: Email scams like phishing are among the most common schemes criminals use to steal from your network. Use email filters to block these emails and be leery of any messages that ask you to provide personal information, even if they appear to come from a bank or company you’ve dealt with.
- Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Along with computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
- Plug & scan: “USBs” and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.
REPORT CYBER ATTACKS
If your business has been victimized by an cyber attack, you should notify the appropriate authorities. This gives you a chance to recoup any losses and ensure that the attackers are brought to justice.
IMPLEMENT A CYBERSECURITY PLAN
A computer network assessment will help you begin a cybersecurity plan to mitigate the largest risks to your business. There is a excellent online tool to create and print a small business cybersecurity plan by visiting www.fcc.gov/cyberplanner.
PROTECT YOUR CUSTOMERS
Trust is an essential element of customer relationships. When it comes to Internet security, your customers trust you to protect the personal information they share with you. If you collect information about your customers or make online sales transaction, then it is essential for you to have a SSL Certificate for your website. Typically, SSL is used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and logins.
TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES
Protecting your company online begins with ensuring your employees are prepared to assist in keeping your computers and networks safe.
Protect your business, employees and customers from online attacks, data loss and other threats with free resources available from the National Cyber Security Alliance.
For more information and tools visit Stay Safe Online.