It may seem like there has been no better time to start a business than today. After all, the many barriers to entry have been lowered to stunning degrees. It’s cheaper than ever to run your own business. Marketing a business is more accessible than it’s ever been. Advanced technology that helps you complete many complex business functions is more widespread and affordable than ever. But some may make the argument that it’s also pretty unsafe, due to the increased criminal threats to businesses.
The fact is that ensuring your business is properly protected isn’t all that difficult. You may incur some expense, sure. But you need to consider the potential expenses if you’re affected by one of the many threats out there, both physical and ‘cyber’. The 21st century is a pretty great time to start a business, but keeping that business protected certainly seems to have gotten a lot more complicated!
We’re going to take a quick look at the most important things you need to consider when it comes to properly boosting the security of your business. If your security is inadequate, then you may end up having expensive equipment stolen, or losing sensitive data than will land you in a lot of legal trouble.
Here’s what you need to think about!
Antivirus software
Browsing the Internet can be pretty dangerous. Okay, so it’s largely pretty safe. But with more freedom being allowed on the Internet in more workplaces these days, combined with the fact that more employees download their own software, you’re at an enhanced risk of viruses and other malware if you’re not careful. Accessing WiFi hubs outside of your workplace, or not adequately protecting your own network, could mean a criminal getting access into your system. You need antivirus software. It can range from free and basic to (overly) expensive and (overly) complex, but it is effective. Any external threats should be stopped at the source, especially when you use it in conjunction with a firewall.
Strong passwords
Hackers require a lot of skill to get into a network without a password. But if someone already has the password, then they don’t need to hack; they can simply enter through a work email account. A lot of what people think of as illegal hacking – i.e. someone entering an online account which isn’t theirs – is actually just them guessing the password or, worse, knowing it already. This is why you need a strong password policy in place at work. Make sure employees can’t enter passwords that are ultra simplistic. Otherwise, your business data is at more risk than you might think.
Security awareness training
Many security breaches are the result, either directly or indirectly, of human error. This is why it’s utterly essential that you make sure your employees actually have security awareness. A lot of employees out there simply don’t have a vivid idea of the importance of security in their business. This isn’t so much a fault of the employees as much as it is a fault of their employers; they seem to think that it can’t be all that important for employees to get to grips with the security implications of their job! Consider ensuring that your employees go through security awareness training. If that seems too formal or expensive, then ensure you speak to all of them and highlight what they need to know.
Covered or tinted windows
Why are modern offices that target of so much crime? Yes, it’s because modern offices are often chock full of modern technology that can sell for a good amount on the black market. But burglars don’t just assume that an office has the tech they’re looking for. They may have heard about it from someone inside the building, which is why the aforementioned security awareness training can be so useful. But, as with home burglaries, it’s mostly a case of burglars seeing the tech for themselves beforehand. Commercial window tinting, or simply keeping the more expensive tech out of view, can be extremely helpful. You should also be careful when it comes to posting photos of your office tech on your website.
Bluetooth security cameras
The threat of a physical break-in exists and for many companies. Office space, after all, is not a thing of the past! Not only can they steal sensitive data using cyber tactics, but your physical assets can get raided. This has a detrimental effect in many ways.It will have a mental effect on your employees, after all! So you need to ensure that you have security cameras to ward would-be criminals off.
Specialized advice
All of the above can make for pretty good advice. (Obviously, right? Otherwise, why would we list it?) But these features may not offer you comprehensive security results for your specific operation. This is why a lot of businesses look to personalized security solutions; they do this by hiring security consultants that work directly with their business in order to provide them with the most secure protection possible. Consultant often put a given security process through its paces in order to find loopholes and weak spots. Once these are found, they will be able to seal up these cracks, leaving your security stronger than ever. They’ll be able to give you specialized advice that, simply put, no Internet article can possibly provide. That’s not to say you shouldn’t pay attention to this one, though.
Get insured!
Last but certainly not least: get your business insured! Way too many business owners (and, to be honest, people in general) underestimate the sheer importance of getting adequate coverage. Should all of your well-placed security implementations fail to prevent a crime occurring, then you need to make sure you’re covered so your business can lessen the losses it will suffer as a result.
Safety can take a few different forms, so make sure you cover every base. One slip in this arena could be disastrous, and you should be making sure your business can handle things for the long-term.
