SMEs Should Not Ignore Cyber Security

All organizations need Cyber Security to protect their computer based information from all sorts of illegal and unauthorized access, destruction or change.

Though you cannot be 100% safe, but majority of the online attacks can be prevented and even detected with basic security practices for your IT security systems, processes and people. These security practices are just as important as locking your door and locking your safe after placing your cash inside. You don’t really need to be an IT expert to enhance and improve your online security, taking some simple steps can help make all the difference.

Take Following Steps for Complete Cyber Security

You can save a lot upon your money by strategizing and adopting an efficient and effective risk management approach that includes the parameters of planning, implementing and reviewing. Remember a good security system will not only save upon your money but will also save upon your reputation, your customers, protect your assets and also your peace of mind.

Planning: You need proper planning to make information security a part of your normal business risk management process.

• Always consider that whether your business is at risk or not, this will help you determine the level of potential risk to your business.

• You need to identify the information of assets and financial information that is critical to your business and also the IT management services you rely on, such as the ability to accept the payment via your website. Also access all the IT equipment including mobile phones and your personal IT devices. You need to understand the potential risks to all these devices and the information they store by taking into consideration their current usage and know the dealing authority of each.

• Access the level of password protection required to access your equipment and online services by your staff, customers and third parties and whether it is enough to protect them.

• Make sure your entire staff has gained appropriate awareness training and they understand their role in securing business.

Implementing: Take the following steps to ensure that the right security controls are in place for your business.

• Network Security: Make use of firewalls, access lists, proxies and other such measure to increase protection of your networks against external attacks.

• Malware Protection: Install anti-virus on all systems and keep your browsers and software regularly updated.

• Removable Media: Restrict the use of any removable media such as CDs, USB drivers and secure digital cards and protect any stored media to prevent loss of data.

Reviewing: Take this step to review your security and respond to any changes if you identify attacks or damage to business.

• Regularly test, monitor and review your security controls to efficiently manage any change in the risk levels in your systems.

• Remove any software or stored information that is no longer required, ensuring that no sensitive information is stored at the time of disposing.

If you happen to fall victim to online attack or fraud, you should immediately report the incident to the police via the Action Fraud website.