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Are you taking all the necessary steps to secure your business? From your cash, customer data, legal documents, and financial records to the people you employ and the physical premises, as a business owner, you have a responsibility to provide protection. Of course, prevention is better than cure, so if you could be securing your business more effectively, you should be doing everything you can to minimize risk. Not all of these suggestions will be relevant to every business, but you should consider all eventualities.
Here are four essential steps to securing your business.
1. Prevent cybercrime
You and your staff should be aware of the other potential tactics which cybercriminals use to gain access to key areas of your business' data and finances. This may include phishing emails which appear to be legitimate but may include links which contain viruses or try and persuade your staff to divulge confidential information. If you aren't covered by insurance, you can visit Hiscox now to compare details of business cover to ensure that if a breach does occur, you have a solution in place.
2. Secure your network
Most modern business use technology to operate and have a website. While this has opened up incredible opportunities for growth, it has also opened a whole new world of risk. This is particularly true for eCommerce websites which handle sensitive customer data and financial information which could be exploited if it fell into the hands of cybercriminals. You need to ensure that your internal network and your website are adequately protected with firewalls to minimize the risk of ransomware attacks or being hacked. Passwords should be strong, changed regularly, and you should use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
3. Secure Your Devices
Your devices should be as secure as your office computers, if not more so. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and if you're holding information on it such as passwords (never a good idea), emails or any other potentially sensitive data, in the wrong hands it could lead to disaster. Make sure that any smartphones, tablets, and laptops are secure and that if they are lost, they can be wiped or locked remotely. Whenever you throw away old equipment, it needs to be wiped of all data beforehand.
4. Secure your premises
From the highest security locks and bolts to the strongest doors and windows with shutters, the physical security of your business premises is crucial to both your staff and the business' operations. Security cameras and alarm systems, which include motion detectors, are also advisable, and there are several modern systems which enable you to monitor the cameras via your smartphone. Make sure security cameras are visible, so they act as a deterrent. Having a single and secure entrance with a Visitor Management Policy can also be helpful to prevent unauthorized people from getting onto the premises. This may include stating that certain visitors need to escorted around the premises or that they must have an ID badge. If you are using metal keys to lock and unlock your premises, consider switching to electronic ID cards which tell you who is on the premises and when and even which doors they have opened.
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