Regardless of what optimists would have you believe, the world isn’t exactly roses and rainbows out there. This is why business security is crucial for any that wants to survive the turmoil in the world. In the past, this meant protection of the business assets and premises on just the physical basis. But with the internet and how it changed most business transactions into the digital world, business security took a whole new turn and became centered on protecting your cyberspace. Whether you’re talking about physical or online security, proofing your business against possible attacks is not a luxury, but rather a necessity for any business out there. And this is how you can do it.
On the ground
Before you start talking about digital security, you need to focus first on security on the grounds. Your employees need to be always alert and vigilant for any possible breach of security, and this of course applies mostly to working hours. This means paying attention to not only outsiders visiting your business, but also people working on the inside because there are those willing to take advantage of any slip-ups. As for the premises itself, you naturally need to install an excellent lighting system which would definitely improve the facility’s overall security. You should also install the latest security systems and even hire a private security company to keep your premises secured. In any case, security of your business is not something to be taken lightly or save money at.
Protect your cyberspace
You need to protect all your data online and keep your cyberspace as secure as it can get. This starts with installing a powerful firewall, because this is the first line of defense if someone tries to hack your servers. The risks of leaving your data unprotected are huge and it’s not something you want to roll the dice with. If your servers get compromised, a good hacker can steal personal information, credit card data, and probably much worse.
Separate networks
A clever tactic many businesses use is separating their payment network from the general business network. This greatly diminishes the risk of an online attack. This is because hackers usually infiltrate an employee’s personal computer via an infected email or any other means, and if the payment terminal is connected to said employee’s device, then all your financial data would be at risk. But if the payment terminal is connected to a different network, then hackers can’t get access through any employee’s device.
Routinely change things up
You should change your passwords and usernames regularly, especially on terminals and networks related to critical information such as financial data or employee personal data. While this might seem like a nuisance, it definitely makes it much harder for hackers to get into your system since you regularly change things up and update passwords. You should also install a software that regularly checks for any blind spots in your security system and tests for vulnerabilities, and there many that do that.
Prepare for the worst
It’s crucial that you have backup plans in case of the worst. Employees should all have documents specifying what to do in case of an emergency, whether that’s a theft, hacking process, fire, and so on. You should also have your systems backed up and secured in the event that any of that happens, and you definitely should create an evacuation plan for your facility.
