Partner Article

Protecting Your Business From Physical And Cyber Threats

The NHS ransomware attack has quite rightly prompted many companies to look at their own internet security. No matter how secure a company’s internet security might be, it’s nearly always human error that leads to widespread attacks. Opening an innocent attachment in an email can easily spread ransomware software throughout an internal network, unknown to the computer users. When we look at the wider picture, data breaches and cyber attacks cost companies billions every year. And this isn’t even including the physical attacks to businesses through stock loss or damage to buildings. It’s a scary world out there, but there are steps business owner can take to protect their company from physical and cyber threats.

Understand the risks

Keeping on top of security news is essential for any business owner. Many companies aren’t aware of security breaches until it’s too late. Rather than waiting to be part of the news story, it makes sense to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Even if you have unparalleled security, this shouldn’t make you complacent. Ensure you have backups of your backups, or switch to the cloud if you are concerned about data loss. Comprehensive insurance will also help protect you against stock loss or damage.

Tighten up mobile security

Once upon a time, IT security was nothing more than protecting the computers within the four walls of a business. Now, workers are taking their devices out and about and leaving their company data open to hacks. If you allow workers to use company mobile devices, you need to have a comprehensive policy that outlines how these devices can be used. Avoiding accessing company data across unsecured public networks is a great place to start. You should also ensure that the storage on these devices is encrypted, rather than simply relying on password protection, which can easily be circumnavigated if the device is stolen.

Secure your premises

A security expert will be able to look for weaknesses in your business and identify how criminals might gain access. There might be small steps you can take, such as upgrading your locks or installing security lighting to deter thieves. If your business covers a large area, you might want to invest in a k9 protection team in order to cover more area for a fraction of the cost of a single security guard.

Educate your employees

As mentioned above, employees are often the weakest link in company security as a result of a lack of training. Educating your employees about the physical and cyber threats to your business will allow them to be extra pairs of eyes. Overly cautious employees are much better than complacent employees who assume that IT security is only a problem for your IT department.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rebecca Harper .