Essential Security Tips for New Online Businesses

Getting started as a new online business owner means addressing dozens of equally important priorities. One of which being cybersecurity, which often gets left on the back-burner. This, despite the fact that cyber attacks on smaller businesses are becoming more commonplace by the day.

Make no mistake about it – you are notunder the radar, simply because your business doesn’t currently have a monstrous turnover. If anything, you’re an easy target for opportunists.

So for those who prefer the proactive approach to problem prevention, the following cybersecurity tips may prove helpful:

1.  Get the whole team on board

Irrespective of whether you have one employee or several hundred, everybody needs to be on the same page. Ensure every member of the team understands both the importance of Cybersecurity and their own responsibilities. Most importantly, make sure your employees know when and where to report anything that seems even slightly out of the ordinary.

2.  Publish a privacy policy

In the wake of a security breach, the last thing you want is to face legal action from your clients and customers. Effectively something of a disclaimer, a privacy policy can be used to detail the extent to which you can (or cannot) guarantee the safety of customers’ private data. It’s important to ensure that every customer knows exactly what to expect from your privacy and data protection policies. 

3.  Simplified website design

The more complicated your website, the more likely it is something will go wrong. By contrast, keep things simple and it becomes exponentially easier to bolster its security. Particularly for smaller and newer businesses, it pays to keep the entire UI and UX as simple as possible. This can also be a great way of improving the overall performance of your website.

4.  Hierarchical access systems

It’s also worth considering the establishment of a hierarchical access control system. If your customer service representatives don’t need access to the back-end of your website, don’t provide it. Try to ensure that the more sensitive areas of your website are accessible only for those who require access to do their jobs.

5. Backups and software updates

Along with ensuring your software is kept up to date with the latest security patches, you also need to perform regular backups. Should the worst happen, you’ll find it much easier to get back on track with a recent backup of your most important data.

6. Paid protection

Don’t make the mistake of thinking an entry-level, free-of-charge software suite will be suitable to safeguard your business. If you’re serious about cybersecurity, you’ll need to step things up to a paid package from a reputable brand.

7. Hire help 

Last but not least, you could always bring an experienced web development and security team on-board. Outsourcing to a third party is a great way of boosting protection for your start-up, without overspending or entering into binding contracts. A good option to consider at the earliest possible stage in the new business establishment process.