W. Patric Gregory, a business owner, on business cybersecurity

With an increasing amount of businesses shifting to an entirely cyber infrastructure, it is logical, as an up-and-coming business owner, to plan your endeavors around the demands of modern technology; this means bracing for a countless list of cyber threats. Cyber security is arguably one of the most important investments a new company can make, despite the shocking 87 percent of small business owners who did not consider it a risk last year. This general lack of vigilance has made the small business sector a popular target for hackers and other nefarious cyber forces, who aim to capitalize on the overconfidence of an already vulnerable community.

To ensure your safety and stability, here are a few effective ways to boost and maintain your small business’s cyber security.

Because of all the pressing demands on a small business, cybersecurity is considered by only 13% of all small business owners to be a threat. This is highly disturbing given the odds and consequences of a security breach. (One only has to look at Facebook’s current imbroglio to realize that no business is immune, and it may be only a matter of time before your data – including customer data – is compromised.) But naiveté, lack of vigilance, or both has made the small business sector an easy and popular target for hackers and other bad actors, who aim to capitalize on the overconfidence – and cluelessness – of an increasingly vulnerable community.

Make no mistake: cybersecurity is one of the most important investments a new company can make. To ensure your safety, continuity and peace of mind, here are a few effective ways to advance and maintain the cybersecurity of your business.

Keep your technology updated

In the early stages of your company’s growth, you’re keeping a hawk-like eye on expenses. So it may be tempting, from a financial standpoint, to hang on to software that may be outdated. The problem is that software that’s outdated is also software that’s susceptible to hacks, thefts or other uninvited intrusions. That’s why, to the extent possible, you need to invest in technology that is equipped with recent security updates. Computers, tablets, and other devices lacking this kind of fortification can easily be infiltrated, creating an additional, and completely preventable, impediment to your otherwise positive progress.

Properly prepare your employees

Proper employee training is an essential part of any corporate culture, and, these days, training absolutely has to include cybersecurity. That way, your workers and stakeholders will be tuned into its critical importance, and they will be assets in its implementation and maintenance. As important, they will also be vigilant in the detection of fraud, and thereby your first line of defense.
One of the best ways to realize this desired state is to create a cybersecurity policy for your business in which you include all prescribed cybersecurity practices, ranging from password creation to what to do in case of a suspected breach. Keeping everyone grounded in this policy will help not only better ensure a more cyber-safe environment, but also instill a more cyber-savvy culture.

Stay informed

Education about cybersecurity should not apply only to your employees – you need to educate yourself and stay current on a subject that is at the foundation of your business. Keep yourself up to date on prevailing trends in security technology and on noteworthy cyber threats in the news. And keep your antennae tuned to matters of significance that may affect your particular business sector. This kind of oversight will not only keep you up to date, it will also foster a habit of adaptation that you’ll need amid the sometimes dizzying pace of technological change.

Back up crucial data

One positive outgrowth of cyber-crime is the increasing abundance and sophistication of ways to counteract it, including resources to back up data. The cloud revolution has made it possible, and economical, to keep data backed up in any number of locations, increasing both its accessibility and its protection in the event of a breach. Be sure to include backing-up protocols as part of your cybersecurity policy. Such a plan will help insure the continuity of your business. It will also help insure a better night’s sleep for you.

About the Author

W. Patric Gregory is an experienced business professional from Glastonbury, Connecticut. Patric currently serves as the owner and CEO of Highway Safety Corp, a company that has contributed to the highway construction industry for over 40 years. As leader of the company's senior management team, Patric is a seasoned strategist and innovator in his field.

To learn more about W. Patric Gregory, click here.