Seven Tips for Small Business Security

Digital defense is often a challenge for small- and medium-sized businesses. SMBs frequently lack the computer security staff and resources found in larger corporations. It’s just not economical. This article shares seven tips for SMBs, with an emphasis on low- or no-cost solutions.

1. Identify and minimize information assets. Do you really need that data? This question prompts the user to consider whether the data they collect, store or transmit is truly necessary for business operations. Sometimes, outside regulators seek to control data, as is the case with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Even when not regulated, everyone, from corporate employees to home users, should think about the sorts of data they manipulate. The best way to keep sensitive data out of the hands of criminals might be to never let it exist in digital form.

2. Keep sensitive data off the network as much as possible. Everyone has sensitive data, but not all that data needs to be connected to a network. For example, a company processing tax returns could keep that information on systems not connected to the Internet. Alternatively, sensitive data might reside on external hard drives that are attached to a PC or laptop when needed, and detached when not needed. If a criminal can’t reach sensitive data because it is off the network, he can’t read, steal, or delete it.

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