Ask SCORE – Secure Your Database from Information Leaks.
Today’s world revolves around data. Yet, small business owners often don’t take the necessary steps to protect their database from theft and misuse. They either assume their current system of firewalls and passwords is enough to prevent a breach, or simply cross their fingers and hope nothing happens. And when owners do recognize the need to step up their security efforts, they’re not always sure where to start.
Data Security—Made Simpler, developed by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in partnership with Visa Inc., Symantec Corporation, and Kroll’s Fraud Solutions, can go a long way toward answering those questions. Available at www.bbb.org/data-security, Data Security—Made Simpler includes turnkey guidance to help small business owners identify electronic and paper-based data loss vulnerability points; develop a data security policy that protects sensitive data, ensures its availability, and restricts access; and identify and deploy the right kind of tools to protect sensitive data, based on its type of business.
The program also provides help with communicating data protection policies to customers as a strategy to strengthen the business-customer trust relationship, helping differentiate a company from competitors. There’s also help for taking action should you believe a data compromise has taken place.
The rise of social media has created a new arena of potential security issues for small business owners, as exemplified by the June 2012 breach of more than six million user passwords from the LinkedIn networking site.
Writing in the Washington Post, privacy and trust strategist John Sileo offered these steps to help safeguard your data from outside attacks via social media sites:
- Change your passwords regularly, and use a mix of letters, numbers, and characters.
- Don’t use the same password on multiple sites.
- Don’t automatically click on URL links.
- Don’t post sensitive or confidential business information that you don’t want shared.
- Educate employees about data security, and encourage wise use of social media.
Sileo also recommends considering the use of a fraud and identity protection service such as EZShield Business Identity Restoration, offered by Deluxe Security Solutions. “Restoration services minimize the devastating effects of fraud or identity theft by significantly reducing recovery time,” he writes. “In other words, you focus on your business while experts resolve your breach.”
Another great source for small business expertise is SCORE “For the Life of Your Business.” SCORE is a non-profit organization of more than 12,000 volunteers who provide free, confidential business mentoring and training workshops to small business owners.
To learn more about the local chapters of SCORE, visit www.MidFlorida.score.org or www.thevillagesocala.score.org or www.lakesumter.score.org
