• Invest in solid cybersecurity measures to protect against online threats. Have measures in place to protect your business from physical threats.
• You also need to secure your Wi-Fi network with strong passwords and encryption protocols.
• Back up all of your data regularly onto an external hard drive or cloud storage system.
• Give out employee access credentials only on an as-needed basis and change these when staff leaves.
• Reach out for professional advice if you’re ever unsure about any aspect of home or small business security.
As a small business owner, security is always at the forefront of your mind. But with so many things to consider, it’s easy to overlook certain elements or make uninformed decisions. To help you protect your business and its assets, here are a few of the most common mistakes to avoid when it comes to small business security.
Underestimating Online Threats
In today’s digital age, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. Your business is likely vulnerable to the same types of cyberattacks as large corporations – like phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and malware infections – but without the same resources for prevention and defense. Educate yourself on these topics and invest in solid cybersecurity measures for your business. Online threats can come from anywhere, so it’s always important to stay vigilant.
No Physical Security Measures
It’s not just online threats that you need to worry about. Physical threats can be just as damaging. Invest in the following physical security measures in order to keep your building safe from theft or vandalism:
Closed-circuit cameras
Closed-circuit cameras can help you keep an eye on your business and catch any suspicious activity. Closed-circuit cameras can be installed both inside and outside of your business.
Security guards
Hiring a security guard for your business is an effective way to deter crime and provide a physical presence to protect your property. Good security guards are also trained to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
Alarm systems
Alarm systems are another great way to prevent criminals from targeting your premises. Consider investing in an alarm system that will alert you and local authorities of any suspicious activity. Alarm systems can also be connected to the local police station.
Commercial mortise locks
Reinforce your doors and windows with commercial mortise locks to protect against forced entry. Make sure you get these locks from a reliable brand like Schlage. The commercial mortise locks from Schlage are designed to provide the highest level of security and are built to last. These locks are also easy to install and require minimal maintenance.
Besides investing in these physical security measures, you should also have a plan in place for handling break-ins or other unexpected events so that your staff will know what to do if something happens.
Not Securing Your Wi-Fi Network
If customers use your Wi-Fi network, make sure that it is secure with strong passwords and encryption protocols. Otherwise, anyone can access it and potentially steal information from both you and your customers. Educate employees on the importance of Wi-Fi security and how they should handle customer data when using their own devices on the company’s network.
Not Backing Up Data Regularly
You never know when disaster may strike — whether it’s natural causes or a malicious attack — so make sure to back up all of your data regularly (at least once per week) onto an external hard drive or cloud storage system. This way, you can quickly restore any lost information without too much downtime for your business operations. Backing up your data regularly will also help to protect against data loss in the event of any system failures.
Ignoring Employee Access Controls
Give out employee access credentials only on an as-needed basis. This will help you ensure that employees only have access to the system parts they need to do their job correctly. Also, change these credentials whenever an employee leaves the company so that there is no unauthorized access being granted by former employees who may have personal grudges against the business. Paying attention to employee access controls will help safeguard against insider threats.
Securing your small business is an important task that requires a lot of attention and effort. From establishing physical security measures to backing up data regularly, there are many steps you need to take to protect yourself from potential risks.
By avoiding the common mistakes outlined above, you can ensure your business remains safe and secure for years. If you’re ever unsure about any aspect of home or small business security, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional advice – it could be one of the best investments you make!
