The document provides 10 tips for improving small business cyber security. The tips include: 1) using updated antivirus and firewall software and encrypting information; 2) having policies to protect sensitive data and holding employees accountable; 3) using multi-factor authentication; 4) using best practices for payment acceptance; 5) regularly backing up data; 6) controlling access to authorized individuals only; 7) having mobile device policies; 8) using SSL encryption on websites; and 9) contacting an IT provider for assistance if security is too difficult to manage internally. The overall recommendations are for small businesses to implement basic security measures and have policies to protect their networks and data.

1. 10 Tips for
Improving
Small
Business
Cyber
Security

2. Always have
Protection from
Viruses, Spyware &
Malicious Code
Viruses are still a thing in 2017, and for
business, all computers should be equipped
with updated anti-virus and anti-spyware
software. Remember, you can’t set and
forget antivirus software.
Configure your software updates to install
automatically to save yourself or your IT
department the hassle, and ensure you’re
always protected against the newest
threats.

3. Always use a firewall and encrypt
your information. Your Wi-Fi
network should be secure and
hidden. Do not publicly broadcast
your network name and password
protect access to the router. A
bonus tip – your password should
not be password or 123456.
Secure Your
Networks!

4. Have Policies in Place to Protect
Sensitive Information
You should protect your network from
more than just external sources. Some
of the biggest data breaches occur
because of employees. While
sometimes this is done maliciously,
that isn’t always the case.
All companies should have policies in
place that clearly define how to handle
and protect personally identifiable
information and sensitive data, while
outlining the consequences of violating
these policies.

5. Hold Your Employees
Accountable
Education is maintaining small business cyber
security. Make your employees aware of online
threats and the steps they can take to protect
your businesses’ data.
Employees should be tied to internet security
policies both on and off the job.

6. Use Multi-Factor
Authentication
Implement a multifactor authentication system
that requires additional information along with a
user’s password. While there is some debate
over whether or not it’s a good idea to make
employees change their passwords on a regular
basis, multi-factor authentication including use
of security questions, biometric scans and
captchas can help prevent your data from falling
into the wrong hands.

7. Use Best Practices when Accepting Payments
How many times have you gone to a convenience store or grocery store that has
EMV chip readers but hasn’t gotten them working yet? Probably a few times. The
compliance deadline for companies to make EMV the norm was in October 2015.
If you take payments, work with your bank or card processors to ensure that they
are using validated tools and anti-fraud services.

8. Backup Your Data
We can’t overstate the importance of regular data backups
for small business cyber security. Doing so helps protect
your business in the event of disaster. Full-scale data loss
can occur as a result of physical server destruction or a
cyber-attack. Make sure that your critical data is backed up
automatically and stored either offsite or in the cloud.

9. Control Access Only to
Authorized Individuals
When employees leave the office with their laptops,
make sure they are locked and password protected
when unattended. Every employee in your business
should have a unique user account and a strong
password. Only give admin privileges to your IT staff in
order to prevent end users from potentially
downloading pirated software or moving critical data.

10. Have a Mobile
Device Policy
Today, most employees
have work email on their
phones. This can open
the doors to even more
security concerns as the
user is often accessing
confidential data on their
phones off-premise.
Always encrypt data,
install security apps and
password protect these
devices.

11. Protect Your Website
with an SSL
A secure socket layer (SSL) should be installed on
every page of your public facing website and just not
the checkout and sign up pages. An SSL makes sure
that data is transmitted securely over the internet
between a computer and a network server, making it
nearly impossible for a hacker to steal information
from your site.

12. Too Much to Handle? Contact ThrottleNet
We understand that
improving small business
cyber security is a lot to
worry about, especially if
your business doesn’t have
the resources to stay on top
of the ever-changing IT
industry. As a full-service
Managed Network provider,
ThrottleNet has the
expertise and resources to
ensure your business is
always protected.
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