In an age where fraudsters are always devising new ways to compromise personal and commercial data, it is more critical than ever to discover strategies to boost cybersecurity within your organization. So, how do you pick a cybersecurity solution that can safeguard your organization while also giving you the freedom and mobility you need to grow?

When it comes to your small or medium-sized business, cyber security is essential. Fortunately, by utilizing key security planning considerations like regular data backups, firewalls, anti-malware software, and swipe card reader systems, any SMB can be prepared for a cyber-attack.

Continue reading to learn more about key security planning considerations for your SMB, including swipe card reader systems, anti-malware software, firewalls, cyber security record keeping, and more.

What Are Considered the Top 5 Key Security Planning Considerations for Your SMB?

1. Swipe Card Reader Systems

Restricting unauthorized personnel’s access to corporate computers and accounts is one of the best ways to reduce risks in a small organization. This implies that even a trusted employee should not be given access to systems or information that they are not normally authorized to use. This is why individual logins for workers are essential, as is maintaining a policy that prohibits them from sharing their login with others.

Overall, making it more difficult to access data or equipment is one of the simplest ways to lessen the risk of theft. For example, consider installing an access control system to better limit access to certain areas of the facility.

Swipe card reader systems are also a great way to force employees to use a key card to access a specific room or files online. These security cards also work as an excellent extra measure to let the right people in and to keep the wrong people out.

2. Anti-Malware Software

It’s easy to think that your staff are aware that they should never read phishing emails, but, unfortunately, most employees still open spam emails. Considering phishing attempts entail the installation of malware on the employee’s computer when the link is clicked, anti-malware software should, therefore, be installed on all devices and the network in order to help protect both your personal and professional data.

3. Firewalls

A firewall is one of the most common lines of defence in a cyber-attack. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), therefore, recommends that all SMBs install a firewall to protect their data from attackers.

In order to protect their online data, many businesses are beginning to install internal firewalls in addition to the traditional external firewall to give additional security.

It is also critical that employees who work from home establish a firewall on their home network. After all, providing firewall software and home network assistance helps to ensure comprehensive cyber protection and security.

4. Keep Records of Your Cybersecurity Procedures

Another key security planning consideration for your SMB includes keeping records about your information processing and storage procedures.

For example, if you utilize vendors to process information, be sure they treat it with care and keep it safe by performing the necessary due diligence. Contracts with suppliers should also contain guarantees that they will abide by all applicable national data protection laws and have the necessary safeguards in place to protect data.

To guarantee the highest security, records should be classified based on how important the information is. Take note, that various documents must also be kept for a specific period of time in accordance with privacy and information regulations, as well as compliance standards in your industrial sector.

5. Complete Regular Data Backups

Despite taking all necessary safeguards, breaches are still possible, thus it’s crucial to block as many assaults as you can. As a result, word processing files, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files should all be backed up on a regular basis.

When completing these regular data backups, be careful and make sure you back up all cloud-stored data as well. For safety, it is also important to make sure a copy of your backup files are kept in a separate secure area.

One should also check their backup frequently to make sure it is operating properly so you can be sure you have the most recent copy of the document you need.

Whether it’s time to expand, downsize, consolidate, or simply change your location, moving to a new office can be an exciting time for your business. However, planning to relocate can often be a time-consuming and stressful process, particularly if you have employees and lots of equipment to factor into your move. We have some useful tips to share to help you make your office move as stress-free and as successful as it can be.

Plan ahead

Moving offices, particularly if it is a big relocation, is inevitably going to cause some sort of disruption to business as usual. Poorly organised and disruptive relocation process can result in ongoing problems which might persist for long after the official move has taken place. To avoid excessive disruption to your business and ensure the move is a smooth, successful one, careful planning and organisation is essential.  

When first considering relocation, setting out a time-frame and drawing up a schedule within which to complete the move is an essential first step. Make sure these time scales are explicitly communicated to all of those involved to ensure the move stays on track. However, allowing for some flexibility can go a long way, particularly as the relocation is likely to affect different areas of your business in different ways. It might be necessary to appoint a project lead, or even set up a relocation team amongst your employees to help with easing the load of the moving process and ensuring it is a success.

Communicate with your team

Change is not always welcome, which is why good communication is instrumental to the success of any office move. It can be the difference between your employees feeling positive and motivated to offer their support to make the process as seamless as it can be, to actively working against the move and causing unnecessary delays.

Keeping your employees informed of your relocation plans as early as possible is essential to ensure any of their concerns can be addressed in the initial stages. Whether they’re concerned about the changes to their usual commute and travel time, 

parking space availability or who they may now be sharing an office with, it is important to set aside some time to address any of their concerns before the move gets underway. After all, they may highlight some things you haven’t yet considered which you can now factor into your preparation and planning stages of the move.

Consider moving in stages

Depending on your current circumstances, and whether your lease allows, it might be worth considering your office move in stages. If this is not possible, begin by packing up the items and equipment that you need to keep but don’t use that often.

To keep business disruption to an absolute minimum, essential IT equipment and files that are in daily use can be packed up at the very last minute on the actual day you’re leaving your current premises. If you require a little extra support with the handling of your IT equipment, there are professionals who can help to transfer your electronic systems swiftly and safely using carefully organised safety bundles, so you don’t have to worry about the risk of damage during the move.

Update addresses ahead of time

It will benefit you to start updating documents, both physical (i.e. business cards) and digital (i.e. letterheads/emails) in advance. If you need to order in any of the physical business stationary, get this done as early as possible to ensure these are on hand from the minute you step foot into your new office space as you never know who you might bump into!

Don’t forget to keep your clients and other business associates informed of your office relocation before you move. Listing as an announcement on your website and sending out an email are great ways to keep those who need to know informed, and will prevent any risk of confusion later down the line.

Although there are many things to consider when it comes to moving offices, it doesn’t have to be a stressful, disruptive process provided the appropriate planning and preparation goes into it. Once you have settled into your new digs, don’t forget to thank your employees for their cooperation. Have you considered a ‘moving-in’ party or lunch to celebrate?

The life of a sole trader is at once liberating and difficult. You’ll enjoy the fact that you’re in charge of your own life and that your destiny is in your hands. Yet, you’ll also have to handle all the administration that comes with running a business on your own. In times of crisis, when the economy isn’t looking so rosy, these responsibilities can bite harder than usual. This article is about how you can not only survive but thrive over the coming months, but also use smart strategies to continue generating good money during uncertain economic times.

Fuel Card

If you don’t already have one, a fuel card is now an essential item for a sole trader. It’s by using this that you’ll be able to enjoy discounts on your fuel, VAT tracking, and an overall single place for you to track your spending on fuel, and how it’s increasing. There are several different fuel card for sole trader options – you should research them to find the one that suits you best.

This isn’t just something that’ll help you save cash and keep tabs on what you’re spending. Since prices are going up, it helps to be able to tell your customers just how much more you’re paying for your fuel – and why you’re passing that cost on to them as the consumer.

Better Jobs

There will be many consumers who would usually contact you to do a job, but they’re holding back because of the cost-of-living crisis. That means that you may have to work a little harder to find the people who are still willing to pay for your services. That shouldn’t be a problem, though, as wages in the professional service sector are keeping pace and even exceeding inflation – meaning that there are still consumers out there with cash in their pockets.

To access these customers, make sure you’re getting your name out there. Print cards to give to affluent customers and clients, and make sure you’re doing all you can to market yourself on social media and via your website.

Collaboration

When times get tough, people usually come together to help one another out. This is often the case with sole traders, who tend to look out for one another when they know there’s not a huge amount of business going around. If you make the effort to get to know other sole traders in your area, they may well contact you with a job that they’re working on, but which requires your skills.

That means that if you’re an electrician, you should certainly try to get to know a plumber, plasterer, surveyor, builder – and the rest. These networks can be a great safety net in difficult times. More than that, though, it can also mean that you’re always in touch with people who can introduce you to work, ensuring you have access to more jobs when you need them the most.

Make the rest of 2022 a profitable and pleasant time to be a sole trader with the tips shared above.