Most entrepreneurs don’t think about protecting their assets until an issue occurs. In this day of digital information, however, it is imperative that you begin thinking of security the very moment you start your tech business. Startups are among the most likely groups to become victims of cyber-attacks, and in many cases, they’re basic and easy to prevent. Below are ten tips to heighten your startup’s security.
Tips for Women with Tech Startups
1. Establish a Security Procedure
Whether you have one customer or two hundred, protecting their information and other data is of the utmost importance. Establishing a foundation such as an information security program will give you a basis to refer to for protecting this vital information. This procedure should go over the basic practices that your company will take to manage and protect the information they receive.
2. Consider Encryption
Whether your business operates remotely or you have a brick and mortar location, encryption can be beneficial for protecting sensitive data. Encrypting important documents such as contracts, client information, or trade secrets will keep outsiders from being able to review the documents without the proper password. For mobile workforces, investing in portable devices such as an encrypted flash drive would suffice. This way, if they’re transporting information from one computer to another, the information is safely protected.
3. Password Management
There’s a password for just about every account, software, or program you access digitally. That being said, you need to have a secure method for storing your passwords. Writing them on post-it notes, making them so generic anyone can crack them will only result in stolen data. Instead, consider a digital password manager where you can securely store all passwords for every account you have.
4. Download Virus Protection
If you haven’t done so already, one of the simplest forms of protection for your data is virus protection. This, in its most basic form will help to prevent the computers from being infected with viruses that can steal information, damage the machines, and compromise your customer’s information. Be sure to download virus protection for all devices including smartphones and tablets. Lastly, update it frequently to ensure that you have the latest protections.
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5. Educate Your Team
One of the biggest reasons startups are victims to cyber crime is because they’re not properly informed. Once you have solidified a security procedure and come up with methods to protect your company data, it is imperative that you share this information with your staff. A small training session would suffice so that they know how to properly secure company data.
Thanks to technology, a woman can run a business from her home office in her PJ’s and thrive in her technical career. With those perks, however, comes the risk of data breaches which could do serious damage to your startup’s reputation. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for a while, make sure that you have created a surefire plan that will protect your most valuable asset.
