Your business’s valuable data could include everything from intellectual property to employee background information and customer credit data. Types of data commonly at risk include:
Intellectual property
Financial information
Employee info and records
Access credentials
Customer and client information
For example, consider a small business that relies on a free public e-mail service for communicating with customers, clients, and employees. While it may not seem like a big deal, it can actually put your company at risk. An easy way to address this risk is by migrating from a free service meant for personal communication to a low-cost professional tool like Office 365 Business Premium, which include secure business-class email services.
Say: There are other straightforward strategies for better protecting your company and your data:
Add a layer of security when you log in:
Use multi-factor verification, which requires more than one step to authenticate your identity.
Try a biometric log-in system with fingerprint or facial recognition, like the Windows Hello feature built in to Windows 10.
Back up your data regularly with cloud storage like OneDrive for Business.
Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
Mitigate threats from device loss or theft by using an operating system that supports device encryption, like Windows 10 Pro (which has the easy-to-use built-in BitLocker encryption system).
Keep not just your operating system up to date, but your applications, too
Use antivirus software—if you have Windows 10, you’ll get the latest antivirus protection automatically with Windows Defender.
6. Protect your data
Know what types of business data
may be at risk:
• Intellectual property
• Financials
• Employee information
• Access credentials
• Customer and client information
Straightforward strategies for
better protecting your business:
• More secure authentication
• Back everything up
• Use strong passwords
• Encrypt hard drives
• Run all your updates regularly
• Use antivirus software
Source: microsoft.com/security
7. Consider the cloud
Advantages of cloud solutions:
• Access data on the go
• Pay for only what you need
• Safer, more secure data
storage
9. Be aware of common
cyberattack tactics
Small and mid-sized businesses
are often targets of:
Ransomware
Phishing
A type of online identity
theft that uses email and
fraudulent websites to steal
your personal data
Spot the warning signs:
1. Suspicious email address
2. Generic salutation, not your name
3. Alarmist messages or threats
4. Misspellings or errors
5. Offers too good to be true
Cybercriminals install this to
encrypt your files and hold
your computer hostage
Take the assume breach mindset:
• Protect, contain, and isolate your
high-value assets
• Back up your most important files
regularly
Sources: microsoft.com/safety; microsoft.com/wdsi; support.microsoft.com/products/security
Tech support scams
Lure you into contacting fake
tech support
Stay safer:
• Be suspicious of cold calls
• Use your browser’s pop-up blocker
10. Plan ahead
Prepare your company to better
detect threats:
Educate your
employees so they
know what to look for
Have an information
security policy
Sources: microsoft.com/safety; www.microsoft.com/wdsi
12. Steps to take if
you’ve been hacked
1. Get help: legal and technical
2. Assess the damage
3. Address any reporting
obligations
4. Depending on the situation,
contact law enforcement
13. Mitigating the
damage
In the event of a data breach:
• Respond quickly and
appropriately
• Notify customers and
clients as needed
• Comply with regulations
14. Security solutions for your business
Cloud storage: Mobile, reliable, and more secure.
Anti-virus software: Defend your devices from cybercriminals.
Secure e-mail: Protect your data in transit.
How we can help: Office 365 Business Premium cloud storage offers enterprise-grade
security and support, with five layers of security protecting your data.
How we can help: With Office 365 Business Premium, get advanced security and reliability
against spam and malware to help protect your information and access to email.
How we can help: Windows 10 has built-in antivirus software to help identify and remove
viruses, spyware, and other malicious software from your devices.
15. Cybersecurity for your business
Protect your
assets and back
up your data
Make a plan to
detect threats
and reduce risk
Respond to
breaches rapidly
and appropriately