Protecting Business IT Systems
It's not uncommon to hear about a small business having its data stolen by hackers, being a victim of identity theft or losing data because of an accident or disaster. From the largest of corporations down to individual business men and women who run them, making sure business IT systems are secure is a top priority. In fact, small businesses may be of an even greater risk of IT issues simply due to the fact that they often cannot spend the same time and resources on the issue.
According to a recent study, identity fraud increased by 13 percent in 2011, meaning more than 11.6 million adults in the United States were victims of this type of fraud. Of particular interest to small businesses was that social media and mobile phone behaviors have a higher incidence rate of fraud than other behaviors. And users of smart phones have a one-third higher incidence rate compared to the general public. For owner/operators of smaller businesses, this may be an area of concern.
Still, basic precautions can go a long way to keeping your business IT system up and running and your data secure:
Consider your email and internet policies
Do you supply smart phones, laptops or tablets to your employees? Allow them to use their own hardware? How frequently do your train employees on safe email and internet practices? Do you have practices in place that prohibit them from downloading free software or using file-sharing programs? Is your policy clear about deleting all spam emails, not following links embedded in suspicious emails or opening attachments from unknown senders?
Back up data early. And often.
Duplication is the key. Back up your business data on a regular basis. Have a backup plan to protect files and documents in case of disasters such as fires or floods. For data backup, you may choose to use a vendor who provides daily, automatic backup, including retaining older versions of files. Ask if they have multiple storage sites. And be sure you understand how the process works and if it's the right fit for your particular needs.
Stay updated.
It requires effort and is expensive to keep up with the latest software operating systems, antivirus programs and the like. But to keep ahead of the latest malware and viruses, it's necessary. As a bonus, though, you're likely improving your company's productivity. Consider who will be responsible for performing software updates and troubleshooting the inevitable issues that arise. Depending on your company's size, you may consider hiring a remote tech support firm to assist in the process.
Be proactive.
New risks to your business don't wait. Review your data protection plan. Determine which employees and partners can access critical data and systems. Scan and store important information that is in paper form in case a disaster destroys the paper copy. Delete dated, sensitive information. Regularly update your mobile, laptop, smart phone and external drives policies. Encourage your employees to use strong passwords - eight or more characters, with a mix of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers - and to change them on a regular basis.
These are just a few elements to consider when developing a plan that protects your IT business systems.
For more small business tips and advice, visit regions.com.
Source, fraud numbers: https://www.javelinstrategy.com/news/1314/92/1
