41. Small Business Cyber – 8 Strategies to Stay Secure
1. BLUF
Cybersecurity, sigh - yet another thing to add to your plate.
October is national Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
8 strategies you can implement today to stay secure.
2. 8 Strategies to Stay Secure
Cybersecurity, sigh...
Yet another thing to add to your plate as entrepreneurs and small business owners.
As if HR, operations, technology, marketing, sales, and finance weren’t enough.
The National Cybersecurity Strategy released earlier this year recognizes the burden small businesses face in mitigating cyber risks.
And the lead up to the RSA Conference last spring only drives home the point.
Here are 8 strategies you can implement today to stay secure –
Bank Alerts – This one was a life saver for me to identify fraudulent business card activity. It only takes is a few minutes to set up the alerts.
Training – First line of defense - a cyber aware workforce. Spot phishing emails, practice good internet hygiene, avoid suspicious downloads, and protect data.
Secure Networks – Ensure your Wi-Fi connection is secure and hide the network name. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect remotely. Before you connect to free Wi-Fi at Starbucks - it might be convenient but is it secure?
Anti-virus (AV) Software – Ensure your endpoints, and your overarching infrastructure, have AV software, and it’s updated regularly.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Enable it to verify identity. Think of it as something you know (password), have (code delivered to smartphone), and are (fingerprint or other biometrics).
Cloud Service Providers – Utilize CSPs where feasible. SaaS providers can secure data and collaborate in a dispersed work environment.
Data Protection – Control physical access to your data, secure payment processing, provide need to know access, and regularly back up data.
Community – Is there an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), or similar community, you can join to share cybersecurity information and tips?
This last strategy is, perhaps, one of my favorites.
I spent my corporate career building cybersecurity organizations with Fortune 500 companies across automotive, retail, oil and gas, and product vendors.
And I’ve seen the value first-hand.
But community isn't just for big business, and small businesses don’t have to do cybersecurity alone.
3. Application
So, what does it look like for your business?
What are you doing to secure your small business?
How are you building secure-by-design products & services?
What is one strategy you can implement today?
To your success,
~Susan
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