Is Your Small Business Making These Security Mistakes?

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Collaborative Post¦ Small businesses are vulnerable to many of the same security threats as larger businesses. In fact, smaller businesses are often more commonly targeted because they have much weaker defences in places. This is why it’s important to thoroughly secure your business, no matter the size. Below are just a few common security mistakes to avoid as a small business.

Using weak passwords

Hackers will easily be able to access your accounts if you’re using weak passwords. Many of us use such passwords because they’re easy to remember, but they can also be easy to guess. Make your password harder to crack by incorporating a mix of upper and lower case letters, adding in some numbers and symbols, and making it longer than 8 characters. It’s worth also regularly changing passwords in case password information is leaked and made available on the dark web. A password manager can help you to manage your passwords.

Instead of, or as well as a password, you could use a cryptographic key. This will implement an algorithm which will need to be decrypted and much harder for hackers to guess. Key management services can help to ensure the security of these further. If you’re wondering “what are key management services?” you can find lots of information online about their benefits and how they are commonly used in cloud services.

Using a vulnerable network

Be careful of what type of internet connection you are working on. For example, when working at a coffee bar, be careful of using public wi-fi over which your data may be easily accessible by hackers. Using a VPN is the best way to secure your connection if you are often travelling around and logging onto public wi-fi. Meanwhile, make sure that your home or office wi-fi is adequately protected. 

Failing to back up data

If you are the victim of a ransomware attack, you could end up losing all your data if it is not backed up. Such attacks involve threatening to permanently encrypt or delete data unless you pay a ransom of thousands of pounds. An easy way to avoid paying these ransoms is to have data securely backed up somewhere such as a secure cloud server or an offline data storage device.

Not getting expert help

It can be worth getting help from business security experts to help both identify vulnerabilities and maintain your security. Managed IT services can help carry out continuous tasks like network monitoring to help prevent attacks. They may also be able to advise you of software to use or remove and ways to protect your data.

Not securing your physical premises

While cyberthreats have become one of the biggest security threats in recent years, you still need to take defensive measures against threats like burglary. Whether you work from an office or home, you should make sure that your premises are not vulnerable to a break in. There are some simple things you can do to secure your premises such as using outdoor lighting at night and making sure that all windows and doors are locked. For extra peace of mind, you could consider installing a burglar alarm and possibly security cameras. Nowadays, you can buy doorbell cameras that offer surveillance without taking the form of bulky cameras, so that you can safeguard your home without making it look less welcoming. Make sure that all doors and windows are in good condition and cannot be prised open. 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.