5 security tips to prevent data breach for your SMEs!

These days, data breaches are a major worry for every company in every sector. 4.1 billion records were exposed due to data breaches in the first half of 2019. 
 

Did you know that in 2021, the average cost of a data breach would be USD 4.24 million?

A recent Verizon information security survey showed that 28% of small firms had been hacked. Retail was one of the most targeted areas for cyberattacks, according to the Trustwave Global Security Report.

With so many companies turning to the internet for their business purposes, staying up to date on the newest business security tips and processes is critical to avoid data breaches.

So, how can you keep your company, its assets, clients, and even your staff safe at work? 

Continue reading for these 05 business security tips on how to increase the security of your company.

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1. Risk assessment and employee training 

First and foremost, you must determine the security threats associated with the internet services and devices that your business employs. It's critical to know your surroundings and detect potential ports of access. 

You may then take the appropriate precautions to protect them once they have been handled. 

You should also keep your personnel informed, utilizing the risk assessment to develop a comprehensive workplace safety and security training program. 

Start with the fundamentals first. Use strong passwords, avoid opening emails from unknown senders, and avoid clicking on links from unknown sources.

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2. Install security patches

Did you know that 80% of firms that had a data breach might have avoided it if they had installed software security patches?

It's risky to use an out-of-date software version. When software updates are given out, don't disregard them since they may contain security patches for vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

When new security patches become available, make sure to apply them all. However, do not wait a week before restarting your machines!

3. Back Up and disaster recovery 

This is, without a doubt, the most critical issue to solve! Nobody can guarantee that you won't have a data breach, even if you have the strongest business security procedures in place.

Make it a practice to regularly back up any vital data. Include any papers, spreadsheets, financial data, correspondence, human resource files, sensitive data, and anything else of value. This also applies to data in cloud storage. 

For extra security, make backups to external hard drives. Make sure your organization has a disaster strategy in place. 

Finally, make sure you have an offsite copy of this data stored elsewhere.

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4. Ensure an alarm system 

If an intruder manages to get entry to your company's premises, you'll want to frighten them away. 

Alarm systems have become a lot more inexpensive and sophisticated in recent years. This will aid in reducing the severity of the burglary and catching the perpetrator.

Your company will be less of a target if you disclose your business security procedures. To prevent unauthorized access, you should update the alarm codes on a regular basis.

5. Outsource a managed IT services provider

A specialized IT business security department is uncommon in small and medium-sized enterprises. To safeguard themselves, they instead outsource to a managed IT firm.

They'll do a business security evaluation before putting together the best plan possible. 

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They can also help you encrypt your backups and store them. As well as assisting with software patch scheduling and installation.

Conclusion: 5 security tips to prevent data breaches for your SMEs

Business security is critical to the success of startups and small businesses. If a startup or SME does not care about security, it is quite simple for them to fail. Following the above guidelines is an excellent place to start and can help protect your company from common data breaches.

Please get in touch with us to talk about your business security plan. And imagine a time when cyber security issues are no longer a concern!