We live in an increasingly digital world and it’s due to this digital uprising that businesses are finally moving online and into a more available state. Security is high on the agenda of any business that has physical premises or an office in a building, but it should also be high on the agenda of a purely online business. Security does not just refer to the CCTV or locks on the door. The digital world we live hasn’t just increased business availability, but the number of people who are an online threat.
Hacking is a very much an issue, especially with businesses that deal with sensitive information. GDPR solutions can get you so far, but having watertight internal security and protection from internet abuse is an absolute must. There are some key elements to keep your new business safe online, so check out the list below and see if you can make some good decisions that you may have missed out on.
- Say No To Malware. If you haven’t heard of it, malware is malicious software that has been designed specifically to bust through online security and damage your network. This all happens without your knowledge and certainly without your permission. It’s the online equivalent to leaving your back-door wide open – and you wouldn’t do that! Applying the right firewalls to your company network and individual PC can make a huge difference. You can help the mobile users in your company by location protection, which you can read about in this detailed article.
- Write Clear Policy. In the contracts that you give to your staff and the employee handbook you should have on site, you should clearly dictate how employees should conduct themselves with their computer usage. This should include the need for strong passwords, using the internet at work properly and effectively and should also include the consequences for internet abuse on company premises.
- Social Media Guidelines. Every employee will have social media in some way and instead of outright banning it from the office, you should come to a mutual respect over it. Define clearly what is confidential in your business and while at work and make it very clear that any abuse of the rules will be dealt with severely. Employees are grown adults who can make their own choices but that doesn’t mean they should put your business in jeopardy.
- Password Protect. Data protection is highly important for businesses and making sure every member of your company is securely protected is important. You should change your company passwords regularly, to ensure safety at all times. The strongest passwords are those who have multiple characters and no set pattern to them, so set the passwords for your staff with your IT team.
- Security Solutions. You can choose to hire in a company to keep your data protected, or you could choose to do it yourself and ensure people are not opening unsolicited links while at work. This way, you can do more to ensure no one is opening malicious software by accident.
