How Small Firms Lock Down Data
Though data breaches at large companies or government agencies dominate the headlines, small businesses and self-employed workers with home offices are often at a greater risk of falling prey to cybercriminals. Small businesses frequently do not have security departments , and often lack the budget for even a part-time information security officer. Security is also commonly deprioritized as business owners scramble to satisfy customers and make payroll. But with information technology increasingly linked to the success of companies of any size, business leaders ignore security at their own peril. Just like their larger counterparts, small businesses need to create information-management plans that detail how data are stored and backed up, as well as employee usage policies. Many small companies do not permit their employees to store sensitive data on laptops because they can be easily lost or stolen. To ensure that employees take these policies seriously, the CEO, COO, or other top executive should be responsible for enforcement. In addition to protecting customer data, companies also face liabilities if they do not sufficiently protect employees' medical records. Some new technologies can help small businesses tighten up their security without breaking the budget, such as external biometric readers that verify a user's identity through a fingerprint scan. There are also companies that offer secure backup data storage over the Internet at modest prices.
© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.
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