15 December 2014
Businesses of all shapes and sizes are likely to receive a boost from the hype that the Christmas period brings with it. Protecting the physical aspect of your business is key, but online fortification can prove to be crucial in efforts to not get caught out by scams and cybercrime.
Whilst complex security systems which identify and destroy threats may be the reserve of huge corporations, there are several simple steps that small businesses can take in their efforts to stay safe online.
Don't bury your head in the sand
If you are the owner of a small business, it can become easy to rely on physical sales and retain solace in the fact that these are keeping the company successful. However, even if you believe your digital fingerprint is relatively small, you could still be the victim of cybercrime.
As threats have become more complex, it would be safe to assume that only big corporations are the ones which are targeted as they are perceived to have the most valuable information. However, cyberthieves will attack businesses of any size.
Research by security giant McAfee found that a staggering 87 per cent of their sample of small businesses had experienced some form of cyberattack in the previous 12 months. Even if your business only has a small amount of data in its systems - such as personal details of staff members - it is likely to be coveted by cyberthieves.
Putting a secure system in place is absolutely critical no matter how discreet you think your businesses online presence is. Cleaning up the mess that any breach may present will be a lot more difficult than installing thorough security solutions before the fact.
Remember the basics
Whilst your business could be targeted on a bigger scale if you're not prepared, the tried and tested online scams tend to be increasingly prevalent at this time of the year, and keeping an eye out for them can also prove to be important.
The online space is just one area of your business that should be fortified over the Christmas period. If you're worried about protecting any aspect of your enterprise, Elders Insurance can offer business insurance policies which cover you in the event of a whole host of eventualities.