5 Ways To Secure Your Online Business Like a Pro

First Business

As more day-to-day business transactions move online, the threat of digital theft increases. Anyone can start an online business, so you have to think about protection from the very beginning. Hackers often look for smaller companies to target because of the possibility that those businesses have fewer resources dedicated to online security. You can combat the threat of digital theft and hacking and secure your online business like a pro by using these five strategies.

1. Prioritize Your Customers’ Data and Trust

When you start a business or take an established business online, the first area you need to outline is online security. If you lose your customers’ trust because a hacker gets into your system and steals private information, your business will never recover.

Outline all of your security protocols from the start, and consider investing in a protected network for payments that is separate from your other networks. You can also employ code signing on anything that customers download from your business to ensure that files, executable programs and product updates are not tampered with by hackers.

2. Focus on Training and Safety Protocols 

The most vulnerable part of your business is always going to be your employees. It’s not because all employees are careless, they are simply the easiest way for hackers to access your system. That’s why it’s worthwhile to make safety and security a top priority of your training regimen. Every employee should understand the importance of following security protocols. You can even explore MDR ROI to make your business’s security portfolio more efficient and less costly.

3. Update Remote Work Policies 

With so much of today’s workforce staying home, you have an entirely new arena of security issues to consider. Whether it’s outdated home equipment or lack of commitment to security when outside the office, you will have to face some of these issues when you run an online business. For small businesses, outfitting all employees with new hardware may be out of the question. Instead, you may need to do weekly security check-ins with your team or consider a VPN protocol for all home devices.

4. Maintain System Integrity

Utilizing a firewall to protect your network is one of the basics of online security, but you can definitely do more to keep your business and your customers safe. Maintaining system integrity means having the most updated and streamlined hardware and software operating at all times. After each update, continue to scan for potential issues and consider investing in cybersecurity software that can sense potential vulnerabilities before a hacker exploits a weak spot.

Another step you cannot miss is backing up your data. In the event that a hacker or virus accesses your network and causes irreversible damage, you do not want to risk losing everything. Keep regular backups to avoid this worst-case scenario.

5. Pay Attention to Mobile Phone Vulnerabilities 

The everyday person uses multiple devices to access the internet and complete tasks for work. As a business owner, you have to anticipate the fact that your employees might be using unsecured mobile phones while on your network. This poses a substantial risk to your company. Not to mention the level of danger that occurs when an employee’s mobile device is storing critical data. Ensure that all mobile devices are protected while on public wifi and help your employees understand the importance of strong passwords and how to encrypt their devices. There’s a reason why cybersecurity professionals exist. Incidences of online information theft and hacking continue to grow every year, and your business, no matter its size, could also be vulnerable. Don’t let issues such as careless work-from-home policies and blind spots around pay portals and mobile phones become weak spots for your business’s online security. If you tighten up your training protocols and stay on top of software updates, it will help you deal with many of the security issues that plague online businesses.

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