New Roseville Blogger: Mark Sommerfeld, co-owner of Sommerfeld's Computer Revolution

(Editor's Note: Roseville Patch welcomes Mark Sommerfeld, co-owner of Sommerfeld's Computer Revolution, as one of its newest bloggers.)   

You might think that as a small business you are not a target for hackers or natural disasters or attacks, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Size doesn’t matter when it comes to security threats. 

Think of what you stand to lose: Years of tax records, confidential employee info, including Social Security numbers, contracts and customer lists.

A small, 8-person law firm in Miami, hit by Hurricane Ike in 2008, was forced to close its doors after a decade of being in business. Everything they had was destroyed and irretrievable.

I see many small businesses make the same common mistakes when it comes to securing their data.

FIRST MISTAKE:  “My data is secure; I’ve got it backed up on-premise.” 

Great!  You have a security system, a fire detection system and you are part of a secured office park with 24/7 security roaming the grounds.  Just because your premises are secured doesn’t mean your records are safe from business security threats.  In fact, it’s the opposite. 

Many businesses commonly make the mistake of backing up files only on-premise or back-up on premise and remove discs or tapes manually on regularly scheduled intervals. 

The smartest solution to combating business security threats is to have all your data saved and stored in an off-premise data center. By having your data backed up off-site, you ensure the safety of all your important files plus you get the added benefit of being able to access your files from any internet connected computer.

If the Miami law firm I mentioned earlier had stored all of its files off-premise, they would have been able to save all of their files…retrieve and reinstate them.  They would still be in business today.

Remember, as a small business, you will more commonly face fires, floods, thefts and other business security threats than much larger businesses. Make sure your business has a secure back up solution in place to allow data to be stored offsite.   These solutions are relatively inexpensive in terms of maintaining business continuity, especially considering the alternative.

By the way, it’s free to have my company assess your level of vulnerability.  Just call or get up on www.comprev.com.

Next time: Mistake No. 2.