A common misconception among many business owners and managers is that managing the security of their systems and computers is a time-consuming and costly endeavor. While it certainly can be expensive, how much you spend really depends on the type of security you want and need. In fact, there are security steps you can take that won’t cost you much in the way of time or money.
Here are five low-cost things you can do to ensure that your business is secure.
1. Communication is key
Many companies take adequate steps to ensure that their systems are adequately protected. The thing is, many security breaches come from within the company. If your employees keep passwords written on pieces of paper that they leave lying around their desks, this is a security issue. It is a good idea to agree with employees where to keep important information and ensure they follow these rules.
Beyond that, if you implement security changes or new systems e.g., new virus scanning software, it is important that you talk to your staff to ensure they know how the system works and how they can use it. You would be surprised at how much effective communication can help to minimize security issues, and best of all? It’s free!
2. Educate your staff
One of the more common security issues comes from spam and malware found in emails. It is a good idea to educate your staff on how to spot these different types of emails and other malicious websites, as well as how to avoid them.
It is worthwhile ensuring that your employees know their roles when it comes to security too. If you have a secretary who you believe is responsible for ensuring the office is locked at the end of the night, take steps to ensure that this person understands their responsibilities. The same goes for computers your staff use: If they are responsible for conducting security scans let them know this. While this may take some time, the cost is low to free.
3. Keep track of your keys
To ensure the security of your IT systems and your physical office, you should keep control of your keys. That is, both the physical keys and those associated with your software (the codes you enter to verify software and unlock full versions).
Keep track of which staff members have a key to the office and if possible number them. The goal here is to know where your keys are at any given time, and if a staff member changes employers make sure you ask for them back.
Many software keys or licenses are single use only. If you invest in software and an employees steals this along with the key, you will likely have to purchase the software again. A good tip is to keep software keys secure and separate from the software itself. The best part about this step is that the cost of doing this is minimal.
4. Keep your software updated
Hackers can be a lazy bunch. They will often target those with out of date software, because it’s usually easier to hack. To reduce the chance of being hacked, you should take steps to ensure that your software is up-to-date. This includes your virus and malware scanners, as well as browsers and even software you don’t use.
Get your staff to perform a ‘software audit’ on their computers on a regular basis. This means going through their computer and properly uninstalling software that they don’t use, while also taking time to ensure their system is completely updated. This step is easy to implement and will cost you next to nothing.
5. Keep important systems off site
Many small to medium businesses keep their servers on site. While this is convenient as your systems are right there and easily accessible, this could also create a security issue. One way to minimize this is to work with an IT partner who can host your systems or servers off site or in the cloud. While this involves some cost, working with an IT partner could save you profits and productivity in the long run, as good providers will ensure that your systems are secure and working properly.
If you are looking to make your systems more secure, please contact us today. We may have a solution that will work for your business.
