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Small Business Cybersecurity Tips

Many small business owners have had a tough year, so focusing on small business cybersecurity is probably not the greatest priority. However, cybercrime is a problem that business owners can’t ignore for much longer, even if their business isn’t a large corporation.

The statistics are terrifying: More reports of identity theft occurred in 2020 than the year before, meaning even a pandemic couldn’t stop hackers from causing misery. With cybercrime still on the up, now’s the time for small business owners to do something about it. 

Invest in the Right Cybersecurity Tools

The hacker’s biggest weapon is also his downfall: technology. Small business owners that invest in the right tech reduce the chances of cybercrime and safeguard their most valuable data. 

At the bare minimum, business owners need good antivirus software that performs regular scans. The best software prompts users to install security patches. 

Installing a firewall, which prevents remote access to systems, also proves valuable. So does training. Small business owners should teach team members how to use cybersecurity tools. 

Improve Password Protection

Weak passwords were one of the biggest risks to cybersecurity in 2019, causing nearly a third of all ransomware infections that year. With so much at risk, small business owners need to improve password protection across devices or face the consequences.

  • Passwords should include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • The longer the password, the better. Twelve-character passwords are good, but 17-character ones are even more effective 
  • Passwords should never include personal information such as names, birthdays, and usernames. 

Work With a Full-Scale IT Company

Maintaining antivirus software, installing security patches, and coming up with 17-character passwords is an ongoing challenge for small business owners who have thousands of other tasks to complete. 

That’s where a full-scale IT company that specializes in managed IT and cybersecurity services comes in. These professionals take care of every component of cybersecurity for busy, small business owners and provide them with the peace of mind they deserve. 

Some of the most popular managed security services include:

  • Network and end-point protection
  • Compliance and risk management
  • Threat monitoring, detection, and response
  • Centralized security management

Final Word

Cybercrime is increasing, so small business owners need to crank up their security credentials or face financial and reputational harm. Investing in the right cybersecurity tools, improving password protection, and working with a full-scale IT company reduces the security risks business owners face. 

With over 20 years of experience and a 99 percent customer satisfaction rate, Envision Consulting provides the best managed IT and cybersecurity solutions to small businesses in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Set up a meeting to learn more. 

Envision Consulting

Envision Consulting

We started Envision Consulting for businesses that share our passion for building long- term and healthy relationships. While we might be technology experts, we’ve always known that trust, reliability and looking after a client’s best interest are paramount to succeeding in business. But in 2001 and to this day, there were few managed IT providers available that embodied our customer-centric values. There were countless support companies more interested in reacting to issues than paving the road forward for clients, making it far too difficult to build long-term relationships. We felt a strong pull to make something different, and we did.