10 Tips To Prevent Data Breaches for SMBs

How to prevent data breaches is a common question these days. Small businesses are the prime targets. Most SMBs believe because the news only covers big corporation’s security breaches they are the only ones with the problem. In reality, small businesses are easy targets and have the same data available. Here are ten quick tips on how to prevent data breaches and avoid this shame.

Secure Network Hardware

Quality is king here. If you’re a SMB, you probably started with consumer equipment. While these devices aren’t bad, they’re designed to be easy to use. They also cut back on built-in security. The best way to prevent data breaches on consumer equipment is to change default security settings. Be sure to batten down the hatches by changing all the default passwords on routers and creating strong passwords all around.

Use A Shredder

Some of the biggest data breaches come from paper media. Most businesses still work with paper. It’s easy and effective to present and distribute. Information presented this way is just as valuable as on a computer. However, on a computer it’s protected by passwords and your organization’s security measures. Make sure that documents with sensitive information are shredded before disposal to prevent data breaches.

Protect Tax Records

Thieves flourish around tax time. Be sure to drop off your tax records at the post office where they can’t be intercepted. Also, collect your return from the mailbox immediately.

Combat Identity Theft

As a SMB owner, you expose a great deal of your personal information while conducting business. Identity thieves use the data that you share with businesses and public websites (like Facebook). They use this information to create a complete picture of your identity. To prevent data breaches in your SMB, consider what information you are sharing. Guard against attacks by only offering the minimum personal information possible.

Use A “Doing Business As” Name

Consider using a “Doing Business As” (DBA) instead of creating your company as an individual. By attaching your name to your business, you make yourself a target.

Monitor Business Accounts

As an owner of a SMB, you’re balancing the books every month. You are tracking what you’re spending, trying to cut costs, as well as fending off the possibility of embezzling. Though, many starting SMBs overlook credit cards. Monitor for new accounts set up in the name of your business and have a plan for dealing with fraudulent activities.

Understand E-mail

Most people treat email as though it is confidential. Remember that email is available to a large number of people other than the recipient. There are many opportunities by which emails can be intercepted or copied. When e-mail is treated properly, you can prevent data breaches of critical information.

Chose Secure Passwords

Most security breaches are committed by someone who knows who you are. A Google search may come up with your Facebook post about a beloved pet or your upcoming anniversary. Therefore, don’t use a password like “Spot0324.” Similarly, consider reading more about choosing a strong, memorable password. Take a read of our A Guide To Strong Passwords for an easy way to create a strong password, every time.

Secure New Computers

Right out of the box, the first thing that should be done to a computer is to secure it. Change the default password and install anti-virus and firewall programs. Also, run OS updates to protect yourself from the most recent exploits. If you work with confidential information all day, consider encrypting your hard-drive. True-Crypt is the service which we recommend for hard drive encryption and prevents data breaches for both Mac and PCs.

Social Engineering

The most difficult element to secure is the human element. Don’t share your passwords with anyone you can’t trust. Ensure that your employees know who should have access to which resources. Reinforce they should ask you directly regarding requests for passwords or confidential information. Training your employees so they understand social engineering is one of the best ways to prevent data breaches.

SMBs Must Prevent Data Breaches

Remember, just because your company is small does not make you immune to attacks. If anything, it actually increases your chances of being targeted. Learn these 10 tips and follow them daily to keep your company, customer, and employee’s information safe.

These are just tips, of course. For more in-depth information about the security of your network, take advantage of our free network audit.

Tags: passwords, prevent data breaches, security, SMB, social engineering

This entry was posted on Friday, September 30th, 2011 at 12:17 PM and is filed under security. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.