Blog Post

Security Reminder: Protecting Your Local Business

Amber Blevins • May 03, 2024

As the world becomes more reliant on technology, cyber security continues to become a more important issue for businesses of all sizes. Local businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks and can suffer significant financial fallout and damage to their reputation.

We’ve shared several blog posts around website security, cyber-attacks, and keeping your business safe—but it’s worth a reminder. It's essential for local businesses to understand the risks of cyber security and take steps to protect themselves. Cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated methods to gain access to businesses’ networks, including phishing emails, malware, and ransomware.

By understanding the threat landscape and implementing the right cyber security measures, you can reduce your risk of being targeted.

Decrease Your Vulnerability with Security Updates

Security patches are an important part of small business cyber security, as they can help protect businesses from malicious software and other cyber threats. Security patches are updates that fix security vulnerabilities and can help protect businesses from malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats.

It’s essential that your server and each individual computer on your network have the latest updates installed. This includes the operating system, software applications, and other device drivers. Having up-to-date software can help protect against known vulnerabilities and prevent attackers from exploiting them.

But occasionally running system updates isn’t enough. Your business should have a plan in place to ensure that the security patches are applied in a timely manner. Outdated security is tantamount to no security.

Educate Your Team

Your employees must be made aware of the risks associated with cyber security and receive ongoing training on how to identify and respond to threats. This includes teaching employees the importance of strong passwords, as well as how to recognize suspicious emails, avoid clicking on malicious websites, and spot other signs of a potential attack. Equipping your employees with the skills to identify and respond to potential threats is your frontline defense against attacks.

If your employees travel for business, conduct business on job sites, or work from a home office, it’s important your staff are trained on your company’s policies, practices, and procedures related to the protection of data, networks, and systems. Employees should understand the added layer of risk when using public wi-fi, a personal hot-spot, and other unsecured networks.

Take Steps to Mitigate the Damage

Unfortunately, even the most secure systems can be compromised. If this happens, the financial implications can be catastrophic for a small business. Cyber liability insurance exists for just these occasions.

As the name suggests, cyber liability insurance is a type of coverage that can help offset the costs associated with a cyber-attack, such as legal fees, damages, lost revenue, and other expenses. It can also help to protect your company’s reputation in the event of an attack. And if you’re wondering how your company’s budget will extend to cover the cost of cyber liability insurance, consider if your budget could handle the cost of a cyber-attack without insurance backing.

Protect Your Business

Maintaining a successful local business is a lot of hard work. But in today’s digital age, it’s not just the day-to-day operations that determine success; it’s also important to be proactive when it comes to cyber security.

Cyber security is a crucial part of running your business. Be sure you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your brand’s good name.

< Older Post