Have you read the news lately? Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common\u2014and unfortunately, hackers are becoming increasingly savvy.<\/p>\n
Just a few years ago, small businesses were rarely targeted. Now, they are considered prime targets for many hackers<\/a> who know that owners like you probably don’t have the extensive budget for security often found in larger businesses.<\/p>\n While you can’t close every gap in your security, implementing these five vital processes will help you prepare your small business for the next wave of cyber attacks.<\/p>\n Industry\u00a0compliance often lags behind true security\u2014and in today’s tenuous digital climate, simply being compliant isn’t enough to keep your small business safe.<\/p>\n You may hire a security company every year to audit your systems and ensure your compliance. But are you going above and beyond what’s absolutely necessary, taking their recommendations and filling in holes throughout your entire business? If not, you’re leaving your business wide open for a cyber attack.<\/p>\n Instead, make a habit of going beyond<\/em> the minimum in order to ensure a more effective security strategy for your business.<\/p>\n You don’t want to think of your employees as potential security hazards, but in fact, they can be one of the biggest security holes in your business. Take the time to train every employee in proper online security<\/a>, from creating passwords that are harder to crack (or using two-factor authentication instead of traditional passwords for company networks and systems) to avoiding unsafe links and spotting phishing scams before they give out important information.<\/p>\n Your employees can be either your greatest security weakness or your company’s strongest line of defense\u2014and your training can make the critical difference.<\/p>\n When a hacker locates a new exploit, most companies work to patch the problem as quickly as possible. If you aren’t updating your software regularly, however, you won’t be able to take advantage of that fix!<\/p>\n Make sure that you have a policy in place to update your software regularly. Talk to your IT department about staying on top of new security problems so that they can push through updates when necessary in order to keep your company safe. Software that hasn’t been patched can leave your business wide open to attack\u2014and that’s the last thing you want.<\/p>\n The\u00a0financial impact of a cyber attack<\/a>\u00a0can be devastating\u2014and you can’t guarantee that you can close every security hole in your business no matter how hard you try.<\/p>\n By purchasing cyber insurance, you gain both financial protection and legal advice you can rely on to provide you with the vital advice you need when your business falls victim to an attack. Plus, going through the process of obtaining this coverage will help you get a 10,000-foot view of your business, as it will prompt you to answer questions such as:<\/p>\n Don’t leave your business’s security to chance! Instead, purchase cyber insurance that will protect you in the event of an attack.<\/p>\n One of the worst parts of a cyber attack is your inability to do business while you’re dealing with the aftermath.<\/p>\n1. Go Beyond Compliance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
2. Implement Security Training<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Update Your Software<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Purchase Cyber Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
5. Create a Contingency Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n