As a Business, it's a great feeling when your customers really trust you. And in the digital age, that trust also depends on knowing that you’re keeping their data safe.
Right now, it can feel like a daunting task, with employees working remotely and cyber criminals attempting to exploit the Covid-19 crisis.
But now is the perfect time to ensure you have the right defences in place, so that your customers can rest assured that their data is in safe hands.
This article will explore three components that can keep small businesses secure: VPNs, Mobility and Device Management, and educated employees.
Remote working by nature involves all employees accessing and sending data outside the protective perimeter of the office.
With employees relying on their own web connections, it's important for smaller businesses to protect against their data being compromised or stolen – which is where the VPN can come in.
What is it?
A virtual connection between your computer and a remote location, which allows data to be shared securely – as if you were in the office.
How does it work?
VPNs enable users to access a private network securely. The data is encrypted so it can't fall into the wrong hands while it is being transferred. Equally, the user’s IP address and location are hidden.
Why does my business need it?
How do I set one up?
Speak to one of our Business advisers for guidance on deploying a VPN for your staff.
With the rise of remote working, many businesses have chosen to allow employees to use their own devices for work.
But with phishing attacks against personal devices trebling in 2019 alone, it’s vital for you to protect every device accessing the network, including mobiles, through Mobility and Device Management.
What is it?
A policy for ensuring your people can work effectively outside of the office – whether at a customer site, on a business trip, or at home – while keeping your data secure.
Why do I need it?
Employees may be using their own devices or ones provided by the company: either way, these devices need to be protected against cyber threats that can steal or corrupt data.
How do I make my business devices secure?
There are multiple options for securing devices, depending on your operating systems:
Employees have always been one of the most powerful cyber defences for a business. Having a team that’s security-literate becomes even more important when everyone is working remotely.
With the lines between personal and work devices now more blurred than ever, it can be useful to agree on security principles for any device accessing company data. This might include:
Establishing an IT safety policy, and then running a session that sets out the best security practices for your remote workforce, can help to remind teams of the rules – and why they’re needed to keep the business safe.
Smaller organisations have always enjoyed closer relationships with their customers – and that bond can be cemented by knowing that you’re protecting their data.
Being able to log off at night, safe in the knowledge that you have the tools in place to protect your business from cyber attacks and fraud, is a great feeling.
To stay up to date on cyber security challenges, head over here
For more support discover our free business support helpline and speak to one of our Business Advisers by phone, contact form or web chat.
Wondering what you can ask? Our team can help with a range of digital topics
Available Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm, our friendly team are here to provide guidance and support on the topics that matter to your business.