6 Security Tips for Small Business

Broadband and information technology are a smart way to increase productivity and efficiency. Although broadband and information technology are useful, businesses need a cyber security strategy to protect their own business, their customers, and their data from growing cyber security threats.

​The following are tips to put a cyber security strategy in place:

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1. Employee Training in Security Principles
   Create rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data. Make the penalties clear for violating business policies.
   

1. Protect Information, Computers and Networks from Viruses
   Install, use and regularly update antivirus and antispyware software on every computer used in your business.
2. Install Firewalls for Internet Connections
   A firewall is set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. Install and maintain firewalls between your internal network and the Internet.
3. Update Software for Operating Systems and Applications
   Operating system vendors regularly provide updates to their products to correct security problems and improve functionality.
4. Make Backup Copies of Important Business Data and Information.
   Regularly backup the data on every computer used in your business. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly.
5. Require individual user accounts for each employee
   Setup a separate account for each individual and require that strong passwords be used for each account.