You can’t even look at the news today without hearing about some sort of cybersecurity snafu or hacking spree.
Unfortunately, many business owners feel that such attacks and missteps are reserved for larger enterprises. This mentality inevitably leads to holes in your business’ own security which not only leaves your prey to tech headaches but also potentially hurts your bottom line.
From keeping your intellectual properly and most important passwords safe to rethinking what security means for your business, keep the following tips in mind to cover all your bases when it comes to protecting your business online.
Lock Down Your Devices and Networking
Regardless of whether you’re working from an office or remotely, make sure that each device you use from your business is locked down from a security standpoint.
Having a robust security scanner on hand can help you detect any potential problems before they occur and ensure that you’re not experiencing any vulnerability issues on your network. Remember: even security is a two-way street as both devices and networks may be prone to problems.
Create a Culture of Company Security
Whether you’re working solo or with a large team, it never hurts to create the expectation that you need to keep any crucial company information or documents under lock and key. For example, make it crystal clear that your colleagues should..
- Be wary of sharing sensitive documents via email (think: when working with freelancers or potential partners)
- Keep communication strictly professional when dealing applications and programs at work (think: don’t download a bunch of third-party software on your work devices which could be filled to the brim with malware)
- Don’t be careless when coming up with or sharing passwords with others (when in doubt, it’s better to withhold information versus giving it out freely)
Be Mindful of File-Sharing
Sharing documents via applications such as Google Docs is all-the-rage for instant and easy collaboration; however, don’t make the mistake of sharing your docs with everyone under the sun. Besides, sometimes it may make more sense to keep your files saved to a physical location versus accessible to your entire team given the security history of Google Docs.
Keep a Close Eye on Your WordPress Account
WordPress’ status as one of the most popular and versatile content management systems is definitely a plus for business owners; however, the platform’s popularity has made it prey to many security concerns. Among the must-dos for business owners hosting their company sites and blogs on WordPress include..
- Carefully checking the status of your plug-ins: out-of-date applications are prone to security issues
- Changing your username and password beyond the default “admin” settings: bear in mind that these fields could become compromised in the event of an email hack
- Think twice before downloading any third-party plug-ins: ratings and reviews are your best friend when it comes to avoiding scammy or spammy applications
The fact that plug-ins are responsible for most WordPress hacks, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes time to click “install.”
Sound security is paramount to protecting your business’ future. Rather than leave yourself vulnerable to “what-if” scenarios, take the time to plug up any potential holes in your business’ online security and give yourself some much-needed peace of mind.