IT Security Compliance Checklist Every Small Business Needs

IT security compliance experts believe that 43 percent of all cyberattacks target smaller companies. Business owners need to understand the importance of security compliance standards. It’s central to protecting their data from theft or loss.

Check out these helpful guidelines to learn more about small business security compliance. Use the following checklist of security compliance standards. It’s time to fight off those threats to the “dream” you’ve worked night and day to build.

What Does IT Security Compliance Mean?

IT security compliance means following procedures that protect electronic data. and secures computer equipment. These procedures apply to your company’s hand-held devices and online networks. The number one threat to these systems is a cyber attack.

Cyber attacks aim to read or damage your company’s private information. Unfortunately, cyber attacks are an everyday reality for company owners and employees. It takes only one single threat to private data to shut down a company’s operations.

Types of Cyber Attacks

Cyber security thieves launch a new cyber threat on small company IT systems every day. These attacks have similar techniques for invading a business’s IT security system. Examples of these common cyber threats include:

Denial-of-service (DoS) Attacks

Denial-of-service attacks (DoS) will invade your company’s network. When this happens, they are unable to respond to a customer request. The primary purpose of this attack is to block companies from serving their clients. DoS attacks can shut down operating systems and take them offline. Once a network is down, it’s defenseless. Hackers then release more attacks against this vulnerable system.

Ransomware

Ransomware will infect and restrict access to your network systems. Access is granted only when users pay a fee amount or “ransom.” Users will receive directions on how to remit any ransom amounts. Then they receive decryption codes that unlock their infected systems. Ransomware fees can range anywhere between hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Watering Holes

Watering holes are legitimate websites captured by cyber-criminals. Watering holes then convert a legitimate site into a malicious website. Once the watering hole invader attacks your website, they’ll find out what websites you frequently visit. When they have your “frequently visited” information, they’ll attack those visited sites. Then they’ll contaminate them with malware.

Phishing

A phishing attack happens when confidential data is stolen from other online users. Examples of the types of data stolen include credit card numbers and login passwords. Cyber security attackers disguise themselves as trusted entities. They convince their victims to open their text messages or emails.

These messages persuade victims to click on their links or open their attachments. These attachments contain a malicious code. When the user downloads or opens the malicious code, malware will invade that victim’s system.

Drive-by Downloads

A drive-by download installs a virus on operating systems without permission. This type of attack generally happens when there is no online security installed on the system. A drive-by-download also occurs when companies use an outdated operating system.

Drive-by-downloads can penetrate your system’s security firewall. A drive-by-download will also enter a system’s firewall. Once inside, they scatter code fragments that go undetected.

Drive-by downloads will also attach themselves to other systems. This attack hosts the codes they need to penetrate these other systems.

IT Security Compliance Checklist

Ready to make IT security and compliance your small business’s top priority? If so, here is your “to-do” checklist of IT security compliance standards. Put these standards in place today to make sure your operations stay as safe as possible.

Install Current Updated Software on All Devices and Networks

Install current versions of security software on any of your company’s online browsers. Current software versions can protect any sensitive records from malware and viruses.

Log-On Authentications and Passwords

Make sure that you and all of your staff have their own strong, individual passwords. Ask your team to update their passwords every two or three months. You can also use multi-factor authentications. These authentications require passwords along with an additional log-in authentication.

Protect Your Wi-Fi Network

Safeguard your company’s Wi-Fi network by encrypting or hiding it. Use your network’s router Service Set Identifier (SSID) to hide your Wi-Fi. Protect your router with its own password to prevent unauthorized use.

Mobile Device Protocols

Double-check to see that all your company mobile devices (i.e., phones, laptops ) also have anti-virus software installed. Anti-virus software protects your sensitive data when you use it in any public network. These personal devices should have individual passwords as well.

Get a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate

SSL certificates confirm a company’s website identity. These certificates can help scramble the website’s data into unreadable formats. Data then returns to readable formats with decryption keys.

Launch Firewalls

Activate a firewall system so that cyber criminals can’t attack your network. Install firewalls on every device that your employees use when they work at home. You can find many firewall software sources online free of charge and ready to download.

Limit Staff Access to Your Company’s Network

Each of your staff members who can access your company’s electronic data needs to have an individual user account. This tip should apply to any contractor as well.

Your staff should only have access to those files that they need to complete their jobs. Be sure to store and lock up all company mobile devices and laptops if they aren’t in use.

Hire IT Security Management Services

Some small businesses will outsource their IT security duties to a private company. These private companies are helpful when the small business has no experience or time to support their online systems. Companies like Nicolet Tech, provide data management and cyber security prevention.

Ready for Full IT Security Compliance?

Begin by checking the company’s mobile equipment that you and your employees use. Confirm that they have updated security software installed. Schedule time to change your passwords and multi-login questions every two to three months.

Invite some IT security management firms to come and share their IT security compliance services. Ask them if they honor problem/solution-style transactions. Fees for these transactions might fit a small business’ tight budget.

You’ll also find more IT security compliance advice on our website. Put these suggestions in motion today to protect that small business you’ve worked so hard to build.