Few people would deny the tremendous impact computers, the web, and tech have had on business and commerce over the last 30 or so years. From the early days of the Windows operating system to Microsoft’s global dominance in business computing with its Office apps right through to emerging trends like Big Data analysis and the Internet of Things (IoT), technology has revolutionized the procedures and efficiency of today’s most successful and profitable firms.
However, while tech has undoubtedly improved the fortunes of companies both big and small and helped level the playing field between rich multinationals and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), it has not come without risk in many ways. Indeed, the much of the same technologies that are helping improve modern business are also frequently used by malicious criminals – both online and offline.
Sensible Steps You Can Take Today To Protect Your Company
The speed of development of technology moves at a truly awesome pace, and there surely can be few faster-moving sectors than the IT and networking industry. Below are just a few ways tech can be used to increase the security of your firm both in the digital realm and in the real world:
Company security rule 101 – invest in appropriate insurance: Before considering how tech can be used to protect a firm, it would be prudent to first consider the crucial role played by your business insurer. No matter how good you think your firm’s security is, accidents and security breaches can and do happen – meaning you must have adequate business insurance cover should the worst happen. Thankfully (and perhaps somewhat indirectly), tech can help in this area too by allowing you to search a huge range of insurance providers online to find the best deals from firms like KBD Insurance.
Partner with a cloud computing company: Not so very long ago, any company looking to capitalize on the tremendous benefits offered by networking and storage platforms would have had to invest considerable time, effort, and money in setting up an in-house IT system. However, with the advent of cloud computing companies, firms are now able to outsource their entire digital services to a professional, highly skilled firm that can offer round-the-clock protection, advice, and backup services – at a fraction of the cost of trying to run a network alone.
Don’t forget to protect your real-world assets, too: Real-world security systems have come on leaps and bounds from the old days of outdoor security lighting and simple CCTV cameras (although, you should still use each as they remain a great deterrent). However, today, you could also marry these technologies with significantly more intelligent systems like biometric door entry consoles, motion or heat detection devices, and apps to monitor movement around your premises.
Remember to protect local systems: While a cloud service provider will look after your remotely-stored files, you still need to remember to protect your local systems with firewalls and antivirus software. Also, be sure to update all software (including operating systems) when prompted – and ensure you do the same across all devices that access your network.
Featured image: Pexels (Tara Winstead).
