Data theft is a serious concern that gnaws at the peace of mind of an e-commerce business. The small companies who are novices in the digital world are more vulnerable to prowling cyber criminals. Data theft thwarts the growth of a budding company. Novice or not, each online business must shield its company from the harm of a potential security breach. With the need of securing a company rising in the digital world, there has been an emergence of a lot of security measures. Some measures apply well to some businesses while some others do not make a difference. When deciding on what a company needs to secure itself with it is important that it assesses what works for it.
Here, I present to the readers' with the basic and time-tested security tips that can keep small businesses secure from suffering the repercussions of a data theft.
#1 Encrypt Data
Encrypting Data is one of the best ways to keep off data theft. Encryption of data translates all data into an undecipherable code. There are many ways that one can encrypt data. One of the most popular methods used is the installation of an SSL Certificate. The market has a wide range of SSL Certificates to choose from with Thawte SSL certificate being the most popular and time-tested choice.
#2 Train Employees
Employees of a company need to be trained on security measures. A lack of knowledge about how to handle security information also leads employees to unknowingly put a company's security in a jeopardy. It is important that a business trains its employees about their role and importance of keeping company information safe. To make this step more effective, a company can also include repercussions in its company policies for employees who breach security.
#3 Secure Gadgets
Gadgets like computers, laptops, mobile phones and even printers store a host of confidential information. It is important that these gadgets are properly secured. Many people secure the network and overlook to secure mobile phones and printers. This loophole leads one to expose confidential information to cyber criminals.
#4 Install an Anti-virus
The effectiveness of an anti-virus is often overlooked because of the simplicity of its usage. It is a very common way to secure a company's network. The simplicity of anti-viruses make it easy to use and implement but it also makes it something that people take for granted.
Installing a good antivirus can save a company from many sources of data theft.
#5 Update Softwares
Many people think that it is enough to put security software in place. It is one thing to install security software and quite another to keep an out-of-date software.
Cyber criminals are good at what they do and with all innovative software that are designed to secure a company website also comes a cyber criminal who knows how to break through its security.
It is important for companies to keep a watch on the effectiveness of software and update it as and when needed.
#6 Strong Passwords
The effectiveness of an undecipherable password cannot be denied. Secure company information by using strong passwords. To make this step more effective, replace each password at intervals. So if someone who tries to break the password, the next time he/she tries to gatecrash into a company's network.
#7 Carefully Dispose Company Information
Every employee and business owner must be careful about how they dispose of the company information. It is not safe for company information to be lying around exposed just because it is no longer needed in a paper format.
Many people print information and when this information is saved digitally they dispose of the paper. It is important that one does not dispose of paper with company information in the dustbin. Shred them. This will make sure that no disposed information falls into the wrong hands.
#8 Prohibit Use of Personal Gadgets inside the Workplace
One can secure its network and all the gadgets that are being used in a workplace, but it is impossible to monitor the personal gadgets of everyone who uses the company network. Make it a rule to restrict the usage of personal gadgets inside a company.
Users who access gadgets occasionally, they should be provided an authorised identity and password so that his/her activities can be tracked.
#9 Install a Firewall
Enable the company's operating system's firewall or install a firewall software. Next, configure a VPN to provide employees with secure means of accessing the company network when working remotely.
#10 Watch Out for Third Party Vendors
A company needs to associate with third party vendors. It is not wise to trust them without any evaluation. This is because a third party vendor has serious access to a company's sensitive information.
It is important that these third party vendors are evaluated well before confirming a business association. Have strong security policies in place when interacting with them. Track their activities. Know about the standard of their security policies. All these measures will make sure that third party vendors are kept away from a potential security breach.
Data theft is something that when overlooked can really put a company's image to a risk. It is important that every small business that is serious about its company's unhindered rise to success is well secured against potential data theft. The fact that cyber criminals can break through all innovative security measures makes it ever more important for companies to stay a step ahead from them when it comes to protecting its information. The best way to stay ahead of them is to shield a company's network with the basic security measures. One can then build on its security from a strong and secure foundation. Shield a company's foundation with the basic security measures and keep cyber criminals miles away from the possibility of accessing a company's information.