Data Security and Your Small Business: What You Need To Know ...

When looking at data security, many people think they have a good amount of systems and precautions in position to keep their data protected. Sure, you may have antivirus software and you may even update it frequently. You may even feel that you?re too small of a company to be a target of a hacking attempt. Only big firms that have thousands of clients need to be concerned about cyber criminals, right? Wrong. Hackers and cyber criminals have actually escalated their focus on small businesses. We want to help you understand the dangers your small business might be facing.

Small firms: low-hanging fruit

The facts are, hackers have realized that small businesses are easier targets, and are increasingly preying upon them. They can infiltrate their systems at a much faster rate, and with a better percentage of success as well. This means a cyber criminal can assault multiple targets in the time it would take them to lay siege to a better-guarded system with a higher level of data security. How can it be worth their while to steal from a mom and pop operation? In today?s modern world, practically every business makes use of digital payment processing methods. Whenever your customers pay using a credit card, this data must run through your system to be validated. This represents a goldmine of data for hackers, as they can lift this data without being noticed. With your customers? credit card numbers, addresses and names, they can make fraudulent charges on their accounts.

How hackers gain access to your data

Hackers usually take a multiple-point-of-entry approach when attempting to breach your company. Don?t be fooled that email is the sole method a hacker will attempt to infiltrate you. While harmful email attachments are the most popular tactics that hackers use to mine data from a company, they also use low-tech methods as well. Direct phone calls to lower level employees or possibly a in-office visit posing as system administrator are some of the low-tech ways criminals may target your enterprise. You may believe your employees are impervious to these seemingly apparent ploys, but it only takes one mistake to open your company up to an attack.

The buck stops with you

You may think that maintaining your data security isn?t that crucial, as the credit card companies are responsible for any bogus charges that occur. While this is true for the consumer, as a business owner you may experience a very different consequence. Often if your systems have been compromised, they?ll hold you accountable for finding the breach. This can cost thousands of dollars and can ruin your profit margin for the whole year. In truth, some small businesses have been bankrupted by cyber attacks, closing their doors because of just one single incident.

An ounce of prevention?

So, when it comes to your data security, taking extra precautions is a prudent move. Not only should you update your programs whenever you can, look at strengthening your passwords as well. Don?t use obvious phrases, and never leave the default password in place. Also, advise your staff not to share their login information or open attachments from unfamiliar senders when checking their email. You may also hire an outside consultant to guarantee the security of your customers? data. Taking these kinds of measures can provide you with piece of mind, knowing that your systems are safe from attack.

Source: http://blog.celeretech.com/2012/data-security-and-your-small-business-what-you-need-to-know/

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