Utilizing all the security tools available will make any small business a small fortress. But how do you leverage them for the greatest effect without burning through a small business budget?
Small businesses should encrypt everything they have to truly stay safe. File systems, email servers, and documents should all be encrypted to create a truly safe system. But where do you find affordable encryption tools?
Implementing cybersecurity protocols into a small business is easier than it sounds and should be done immediately to stay ahead of the threats online.
Small businesses notoriously have porous cybersecurity protocols at best. However, this should be quite the opposite as safeguarding smaller amounts of data is easier than attempting to streamline departments of a big corporation.
Luckily, many small businesses still have the power of free and open-source tools at their disposal to do much of the work for them. There are applications for every level of cybersecurity that will automatically encrypt your drives and protect your networks.
Encrypt everything important, store external data in password-protected devices, and operationalize any privacy protocols that are relevant to your business. With these quick tips, your small business will have enterprise security.
Follow these 4 quick and easy ways to boost your small business’s cybersecurity:
Leverage free security tools
There are several free (or affordable) security tools you can leverage. If you don’t have an entire IT team at your fingertips — no fear. You can protect sensitive data with free tools and affordable cybersecurity tools.
File encryption software like FolderLock can be used to provide an extra level of security for sensitive data.
Network diagnostic tools like network intrusion detectors can help you identify suspicious activity on your network.
Login credentials management like encrypted password managers can help you generate, rotate, and safely store company passwords.
Consider switching to Linux
The biggest operating systems are the macOS and Windows. Mobile devices typically run on Android or iOS. However, you don’t have to be beholden to these operating systems. Frankly, these for-profit operating systems are often overpriced and they underperform, especially on the security side.
Many of the Linux-based operating systems have better security protocols, more powerful network configuration options, and more encryption options.
Migrate to secure cloud storage
One way to save yourself a lot of headaches is to leverage a secure cloud service. By utilizing a secure cloud service, you’ll guarantee encryption and other security protections with little to no work on your side.
Cloud storage is an inexpensive and efficient way to store your data without having to protect your internal systems constantly. While it may sound unstable, cloud storage is a more secure option than hosting your information locally because the cloud systems are always updating and finding better ways to safeguard your data.
By making shared files private and avoiding any direct downloads or uploads on company computers, you guarantee a safe, secure, unmanaged database for your business.
Use a secure email service
Using a secure email service can make certain that your everyday business communication, from the techie manager’s memos to technophobic accountant’s updates, is safe from outside elements.
Memos, payment information, and sensitive personal data can all be protected through a secure email service like ProtonMail, a service that uses the strongest encryption algorithms.
These email services scan for malicious attachments and unknown addresses to warn users of malicious actors and hackers. Using strict email protocols will provide small businesses with a layer of security that is often bypassed.
Conclusion
There are network diagnostic tools, network monitoring tools, and password generators that are free and powerful. Small businesses also have the advantage of pivoting when necessary and can implement new protocols quickly.
Choosing a Linux OS is a great option for small businesses in general as it is safer and more flexible than its competitors. Linux systems offer secure and free options for protecting your small business file system without bloating your network or hardware. However, much of this local storage is unwise in the new age of the internet which is why many businesses are switching to the cloud.
Small businesses need as much stability as possible while reducing the workload on the owners. Cloud storage takes much of the work out of the hands of the small business and allows them to operate freely without the concern of hacking attempts. The same is true for email services as small businesses are typically outdated when it comes to email.
