How To Securing Your New Business?

When you decide to start your own business, you must keep a few aspects in mind before you dive into it head first. In this series of articles, I have been discussing important aspects of a business that you must keep in mind. Think about the cash, records, marketing data, legal documents and all the things that form the pillars of your business. Do your best to protect them.

Like I have always said, all of these suggestions won’t apply to every company. However, if you work your way through this article, you’re sure to find some practical steps that you can take to protect your people and assets.

Secure the Data

• You may be opening the door to a security breach, if you do not take proper steps to ensure that all data has been erased from a computer or copier before it leaves your office.
• There are many of us who still do not realize that the office copier stores documents on a hard drive until the files are overwritten.
• Make sure that you erase all the information from your hard drive before you get rid of an old computer.

• Trashed computer is a gold mine for identity and data thieves.
• Also, an integral part of any small-business IT security strategy is a formal document that goes into proper detail.
• It is then kept updated, rather than stuffed in a drawer and forgotten about.

 Secure the Office

• A modern security system senses events such as motion in a room, decides if the event poses a threat, and then acts on that decision.
• With its array of electronic components, a good security system is designed to sense, decide, and act.
• Understand the language of security in order to communicate your needs to a security professional.
• Understand any proposals you may receive, and make the most of your security system after it is installed.
• A security system isn’t a do-it-yourself affair, but it is good to know how it works, to make the best use of it.
• It is good to understand the electronic hardware that performs each function.

Get an Insurance

• Dealing with incidents like property damage, theft or even a customer lawsuit can be costly, and you need to be sure that you’re protected.
• This is one thing that you might want to worry about ‘later’, but it’s important to purchase the right insurance for your business before you officially launch.
• As a small business owner, you don’t need a one-size-fits-all insurance plan.
• To ensure you’re not paying for more coverage than you need, spend some time in finding a policy that’s tailored to your specific business practices.
• Coverage doesn’t have to cost a lot. General- and professional-liability insurance coverage for a sole proprietorship can be purchased for a few hundred dollars a year.
• If your business provides a service, you may also want to consider professional liability insurance.
• Check with your insurance provider throughout the year to keep the provider updated on any changes happening in your business.

Be Informed

• Have security policies for the company and understand them.
• You don’t have to spend a lot of money on educating the staff about the importance of security.
• Integrate policies into the staff-induction process.

• Just an hour with an employee should be enough to explain how security applies to their role and to answer any questions.
• Do a six-monthly refresher to bring existing employees up to speed with any changes.
• Make sure the employees understand ‘security’ and its importance as much as you do.
• Educate them about threats of which they should be aware.
• Education and communication are just as important as tools against cybercrime and help in securing your data.

For all of these to be effective, it has to be implemented from the bottom up and the top down. Almost all large corporations today have built in-house networks. These platforms link employees working in different locations. Small and medium-sized businesses can take advantage of readily available tools to facilitate knowledge sharing. Companies even have custom social networks, to connect its staff in the U.S., for example, with employees in Europe and Asia. This not only helps form better business relationships, it makes possible the sharing of best practices across cultures. If this sounds interesting, contact HyperEffects, for a free consultation on the concept, now.