Step Up Your Security - Six Digital Security Tips for New Businesses

Dixie Somers

October 27, 2014

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In our day and age, starting a business requires a lot of technology and online work. Even if your industry, product, or business isn’t necessarily technology-based, you’ll still need to use computers, devices, and the internet to keep your business running and make it accessible for customers and employees.

While technology helps a business run smoothly and efficiently, you can never be too safe when it comes to the security of your digital information. Hackers and deceptive people can try to steal your information, or sensitive information of your customers and clients. This will create serious problems for your small business, and could even mean the end of your business altogether. Read on for a few ideas for keeping your digital information secure.

Keep Information Away From the Network

Not all your information needs to be kept where you can access it through your network. Sensitive information, such as financial information or taxes, can be kept in a spot where it will not be vulnerable to be stolen. Keep information of this nature on an external hard drive. You can keep this locked up or off site and hook it up to a laptop when access is needed.

Have a Separate Financial Computer

All financial transaction information should be done from one computer and one computer only. Never do your finances on a computer that your employees can access, or that can easily be hacked online. With recent mass hackings at companies like Target, it is obvious that no company is safe from those seeking financial records and information. Separating these files from computers of general use will give your business an extra layer of safety when it comes to finances, be they your own, or your client’s.

Join Infragard

Infragard is a non-profit organization run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Big cities have their own branch of Infragard and members can attend meetings held and taught by FBI employees. The purpose is to teach the characteristics and ways to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. Do a little research to find a branch of Infragard in your area, and further increase the safety and security of your new business.

Use a Cloud Provider

When your business is first starting out, you likely won’t have an entire IT department devoted to protecting your files and information. If you do not have an IT department in your business, use a cloud providing service to handle the back up of your important files. It gives you an extra layer of security with your important files to have them backed up at an off-site source. Make sure the provider you pick is a valid one that will hold a substantial amount of information. Do your homework before investing.

Password Protection

Password protect everything you do on the computer. Change your passwords every few weeks to ensure that a former employee will not use it to your disadvantage in any way. When choosing a password, do not make it something that can be easily guessed. Use a combination of letters, numbers and punctuation. When writing down passwords, lock these up so they cannot be easily found.

Safe Computer Practices

Make sure there are rules for employees to adhere to when it comes to using computers. Also, make sure that no business secrets are leaked via social media. It is very easy for a competitor to be able to find out information using social media. Have virus software installed on each computer that you have within the business and keep it up to date so that you will always be protected.

It can be nerve-wracking to be the keeper of confidential and sensitive information, especially when there are so many hackers and dishonest people who are waiting to take advantage of your company and steal information. Every step you take to improving your business security will add an extra layer of safety around your information. Even small businesses can be susceptible to hacking and security breaches, so the best course of action is to prevent them from happening in the first place. The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Virtual Technology, who specialize in data hardware services.