The National Retail Federation is predicting holiday retail sales to reach $717.45 billion to $720.89 billion this year. With the sheer volume of transactions set to take place for retail operations (both online and at brick-and-mortar stores), now is a good time to make sure your small business has a well-defined cybersecurity plan in place. Here’s a handy checklist to consider when assessing your cybersecurity measures for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
All employees should be trained on the importance and methods of data security. Both physical and digital records should be safeguarded at all times, and confidential information about clients, employees or corporate affairs should always remain secured. Hackers like to target uninformed employees, so in terms of personnel, keep in mind your security is only as strong as your weakest link. This time of year serves as a great opportunity to re-distribute your data security policies to employees to reinforce its importance.
Perform background checks on new employees hired for the holiday season. Additionally, ensure each employee only has access to data related to their role and responsibility, especially for seasonal employees.
Passwords: Creating a strong password creates a better defense against cyberattacks. Remember these tips for creating strong passwords:
For more information on creating strong passwords, check out our blog post, “5 Tips For Creating Strong, Secure Passwords to Protect Sensitive Data.”
Wi-Fi: Make sure your Wi-Fi network is secure by regularly changing its password. Also, do not allow your employees to use public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks while utilizing company-issued laptops and smartphones.
All data, whether on a personal device, computer, or server should be protected by proper encryption.
If a program acts up, it could simply be a software or hardware malfunction, but it could be something much worse. If malware is detected, or a user reports opening a suspicious file, don't take any chances. Assume that the malware has infected something, and don't stop investigating until you find out what, if anything, was breached. Keep anti-virus and anti-malware programs up-to-date.
For more details about AMT Service Corp feel free to visit: https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/small-business/cybersecurity-checklist-holiday-season
Small Business Cybersecurity Tips for a Safe & Successful Holiday Season
Secure Your Employees
All employees should be trained on the importance and methods of data security. Both physical and digital records should be safeguarded at all times, and confidential information about clients, employees or corporate affairs should always remain secured. Hackers like to target uninformed employees, so in terms of personnel, keep in mind your security is only as strong as your weakest link. This time of year serves as a great opportunity to re-distribute your data security policies to employees to reinforce its importance.Perform background checks on new employees hired for the holiday season. Additionally, ensure each employee only has access to data related to their role and responsibility, especially for seasonal employees.
Secure Your Network
Passwords: Creating a strong password creates a better defense against cyberattacks. Remember these tips for creating strong passwords:- Don’t use the same password twice and change passwords frequently.
- Use a mix of characters including letters, numbers and symbols.
- Avoid sharing passwords.
- Don’t keep passwords written down near computers.
- Utilize a password manager.
For more information on creating strong passwords, check out our blog post, “5 Tips For Creating Strong, Secure Passwords to Protect Sensitive Data.”
Wi-Fi: Make sure your Wi-Fi network is secure by regularly changing its password. Also, do not allow your employees to use public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks while utilizing company-issued laptops and smartphones.
Secure Your Data
All data, whether on a personal device, computer, or server should be protected by proper encryption.
Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Systems
If a program acts up, it could simply be a software or hardware malfunction, but it could be something much worse. If malware is detected, or a user reports opening a suspicious file, don't take any chances. Assume that the malware has infected something, and don't stop investigating until you find out what, if anything, was breached. Keep anti-virus and anti-malware programs up-to-date.Protect Your Organization with Cyber Liability Insurance
A Cyber Liability Insurance policy from AmTrust can help safeguard your company against financial loss from a cyber attack. Contact an AmTrust agent today to find out how you can benefit from a policy, and how to protect your organization from cybersecurity attacks and other data breach threats.For more details about AMT Service Corp feel free to visit: https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/small-business/cybersecurity-checklist-holiday-season
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