Why you need to protect your business against online threats.
As a small business owner, one of the most serious risks that you face is the threat of cyber attack or data breach. While you might think that your business would never be a target, hackers often go after smaller businesses because they lack the cyber security measures to keep them out. While having the right
commercial insurance in Los Angeles, California can help you deal with the aftermath of a cyber attack, there are preventative measures that you can take as well.
Here's what you should do to upgrade your business's cyber security.
Understanding the Costs of a Cyber Attack
It's important for business owners to understand just how badly a cyber attack or data breach will affect their company and their customers. For starters, your business would be responsible for covering all the costs associated with the breach. In addition to monetary losses, businesses who are hit with a data breach also face reputational harm and the loss of client trust. This can make it difficult for a business to retain customers, attract new clients, secure future contracts, and so on. In some cases, the damage caused by a data breach is so severe that the business never recovers and is forced to close its doors.
Upgrading Your Business's Cyber Security
- Limit Access to Sensitive Data: One of the best ways to reduce your risk of a data breach is by limiting the number of employees who can access sensitive customer and business information. When you reduce the number of employees with security clearance, you reduce your risk for a leak. Additionally, if a leak does take place, then you have a smaller pool of suspects to investigate.
- Train Your Employees: The employees that are allowed to access private information should undergo comprehensive cyber security training, so they understand the risks of a major data breach. During your staff training, you should explain your company's login requirements, establish appropriate Internet use guidelines, and detail the penalties for violating company security policies. You should also establish rules for handling, protecting, and inputting sensitive customer data to limit exposure.
- Protect Your Connected Devices: Your company's computers, laptops, tablets, and other connected devices should all be protected by strong antivirus software. Installing this type of software will prevent your company's network from being infiltrated by viruses, malware, and other online threats. Make sure you update your software frequently to ensure that you have the latest protection available.
- Secure Your Internet Connection: A firewall is a set of programs that prevent outsiders from accessing information on a private network. You should make sure that your operating system's firewall is enabled or, if your system is not currently equipped with firewall capabilities, then install firewall software. If your employees are allowed to work from home, then make sure that their home systems are protected by a firewall to ensure that they are not hacked.
These are some of the steps that you can take to upgrade your business's cyber security. Remember, getting the right
commercial insurance in Los Angeles, California is a great way to secure an extra layer of protection for your business. Need help with your business insurance needs? If so, then contact the experts at Fuller Insurance Agency in Southern California today.
