Digital security is always a big deal for businesses. And as seen with the recent example of the Google Doc phishing scheme, malicious viruses and attackers are getting more and more sophisticated. Even with seemingly non-stop reports of hacking and lost data, the options for a small business to back up and protect their most vital digital assets have never been more numerous, more powerful, or less expensive.
But first-time companies always have questions. How should your company approach online security and how can you benefit from these new options? The below content takes a look at some security systems that work best for new startups.
The Basics of Great Security
Security is a process, not a destination, and needs consistency. A consistent process doesn't necessarily produce perfection, but it can make your online data protection and overall technology security program good enough that it helps you avoid all but the most determined attackers. What process and consistency combine to produce is a regular schedule of testing, evaluation, and improvement. The most secure systems consider these steps less of a to-do list and more of a cycle.
Backups
Since high-speed Internet connections have become commonplace, the concept of backing up an individual computer over the Internet has become more and more practical. While many of the most popular services are consumer-focused, most companies offer higher capacity and higher bandwidth options for small to medium-sized businesses. Business Internet companies and many enterprise internet services now routinely offer these kinds of services as part of their most popular products.
One of the key advantages to a network-based backup model is that data can be made available on any device. Services like Dropbox, for example, have a versatile client that can be installed on nearly any device and make the same files available to users on those many devices. Sharing a document with ten computers has rarely been easier, as the service will propagate the document through shared client connections with every other machine that has access to the account, including phones, tablets, desktops, and even servers.
Secure Network
Great security can be compromised if your hardware is vulnerable. While securing data and securing a network are two entirely different things, the basics of good security still apply. The threat from an outside attack against a network is constantly changing so your process of experimentation and adjustment must adapt to match. The most common yet least understood technology for network security is the firewall.
Many people mistakenly believe a firewall is a barrier. The reality is, it acts more as a filter, designed to analyze network traffic moving to and from either a specific system or a network of systems. Configuring a firewall properly involves understanding how attackers work and why a firewall makes it more likely they will look elsewhere. Like all other security measures, there is no right way to set up a firewall. The good news is the firewalls make establishing a working process very easy.
Data security is increasing in importance for small businesses. By following the basic principles, you will be better prepared to meet the challenge.
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