Improve the Computer Security of Your Small Business

Today computers are a necessary part of doing business. Information, important files, and documents are kept on your computers, and business functions, from payroll and accounting to making phone calls and fulfilling orders, are performed using them each day. With so much of importance located on computers, the thought of a system breach can be scary. Here are some thing you can do to improve your business’s computer security.

Computers: To protect your computers, you should use basic protection. This goes for both your business’s desktop computers and the laptop computers your business might have. Your software should be updated regularly, as should your virus and firewall protection. You can get any of these programs rather easily by purchasing the software, but many computers come with the appropriate protecting software.

Data: A back up procedure is necessary in order to ensure that your data is protected. There should be a safe location that your data can be sent to so that if your main system or a computer crashes the data can be retrieved and restored. Sensitive data should be encrypted so that only those with proper authorization can see it. Protect different layers of data with permissions so that data is lost inadvertently because of employees.

Network: When your business network is protected, this adds to the overall computer protection of your business. A network with no remote access is the safest, but many companies recognize that remote access capability allows for ease of use. Strong passwords should be used in such cases. The strongest passwords are those that are at least eight characters long and have a combination of letters (both upper and lower case), numbers, and symbols. Wireless networks are the easiest networks to infiltrate. If you use a wireless network, make sure that you have very strong encryption.

Servers: Your business servers are a high priority and should be carefully protected. Servers are the command centers that run applications and allow you to email. Servers should be kept in safe places with very high security. There are companies that offer Co-location services that can keep your servers in highly secure locations that are specially designed and controlled to prevent damage to the hardware. Very few people should be granted “administrator” access to the server and its functions.

Servers should also be used to increase security by house your computer management operations. Instead of relying on individual employees to take care of their terminals, oversee updates from the server. Plus, management from the server ensures that you can monitor individual computers, allowing you to discover questionable activities and unauthorized access quickly and more efficiently rectifying the problem.

Applications line: Secure all the software that is essential to your business operations. All of the above steps can help you protect necessary software, but there should also be programs that allow you to monitor and regulate access to information. Your server should be isolated and backed up regularly.