Starting a home-based business requires special security features.
Most of these measures include online security, but it’s necessary to introduce offline security elements, as well.
Since most home-based business owners have significantly limited budgets, they need to focus on the most effective features.
In this article, we’ll present the five major security tips that will help every new entrepreneur stay safe online.
1) Increase physical security
Ordinary workers in companies don’t have to spend too much time handling the security of the company premises. They need to validate their cards to prove their identity and the rest is handled by professional security businesses.
On the other hand, a home-based business owner needs to take care of various offline security features, such as:
- Home alarm system. Cover different areas of your home with a comprehensive alarm system. From the fence and the garage to the house itself, protect all parts from potential perpetrators.
- Security cameras. Many burglars give up from breaking into a home. So, install security cameras around your yard and house to repel the intruders.
- Motion sensors. Surround your home with motion sensors to detect if anyone tries to break into your property.
- Window and door detectors. Some burglars may manage to dodge the alarm system and the motion sensors. Surprise them with window and door detectors when they try to enter your house.
If you properly protect your home from burglaries, you’ll protect your digital business information, hard-copy documents, and all other important data.
2) Back up business data
To cover more bases in terms of data security, business owners need to keep at least two copies of every business document.
There’s no need for storing terabytes of business data on office computers.
What you can do instead is subscribe to cloud storage services and keep most of your data on the cloud.
Depending on your business needs, you can either increase or reduce the storage you’re using and paying.
Contrary to that, if you buy too many hard discs, you’ll spend money on something you won’t use.
Another benefit of storing business data online is simple accessibility. When someone wants to see or edit your business document, you can give them access so they can work directly online.
Storing documents on in-house discs is less convenient and more dangerous.
Still, you might want to get one hard disc or flash drive to store the most important business files on it.
Additional two cents: get SSD drives for your office computers because it enables faster business operations.
3) Update antivirus and antimalware
Many hacker attacks would be prevented if business owners updated their antivirus and antimalware solutions on time.
In that light, SMB owners need to understand the importance of staying up to date with innovations and improvements of their protective solutions.
The best option is to let those programs update automatically. Manufacturers do everything they can to launch software updates and additions in a timely manner. Those elements are included in the pricing plan you’ve opted for. The security level will depend on the package you’ve chosen. Communicate with several potential online security companies to see what they’re offering at what prices. Choose the optimal security level for your business operations and clients.
If you’re familiar with security systems and you need some specific features, you could select manual updates, rather than automatic ones. Again, work together with security specialists that provide these services to finetune the necessary security features.
4) Enhance website security
Hackers can attack a small business via email, unauthorized access to credentials, or directly via the business website.
When it comes to website security, follow these instructions to increase your security level:
- SSL protection. Secure sockets layer (SSL) protection keeps the communication between the server and the website secure via encryption. Websites that use this protective feature have a small lock next to the Internet address field.
- Reputable hosting providers. Double-check your potential hosting providers. Do your homework and learn more about them. Read Google Reviews to find out if there have been any major complaints by the existing users. Don’t go for the first provider you find only because they’re the cheapest one. Some hosting providers offer a whole package of features: hosting, cloud storage, and collaboration, together with web design. If you choose the wrong company, you’ll put your entire business at risk.
- Experienced web designers. Security doesn’t only refer to external intruders. When you’re having your website built, work with proven professionals. As explained by the design specialists from a Houston web design company, small businesses need simple and effective design provided by reliable web designers. If you let your business website in inexperienced hands, the final product might not be satisfying.
5) Introduce a strict password policy
Many home-based business owners work on their own. This means that they don’t have any employees at the beginning of their entrepreneurial quest.
If you belong to this group, this doesn’t mean that you can be careless. Even if you’re working alone, bring a strict password policy. This means that you should come up with strong passwords for all SMB online features. From email addresses to e-banking accounts, keep your passwords as versatile and impenetrable as it gets. Use as many passphrases as possible. For example, if your kid says something funny, this can become your passphrase. No one in the world will be able to guess such a password, plus, you’ll memorize it easily.
Home-based business owners that start hiring employees should inform them about the password policy to reduce the risk of exposing business data to hackers.
Running a small business from your living room can be a relaxing experience. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be relaxed with your security policy. So, properly protect your home office to prevent unauthorized persons from entering it.
Back up the business data on the cloud, but store the potentially sensitive information on a hard drive.
Regularly update all your protection software solutions and bring a proper password policy.
Finally, keep your website secure via SSL, reliable hosting, and renowned web design providers.
All these elements will help you stay safe and prosper in the digital business environment while working from home.
