How Technology Can Help Keep Your Businesses Safe

by Frankie Wallace, Guest Contributor

While technology is necessary for any business’s day-to-day functions, is not yet universally recognized as a tool to safeguard a business. Unfortunately, cyberattacks and thief break-ins are rampant and dangerous threats which could destroy a business within seconds. Today, every business has the potential to become a cyber battlefield. According to Elaine Thompson, in an article published on Business.org, “71 percent of IT managers said programs like spyware and malware are serious concerns, and 88 percent are concerned about workers downloading or using unauthorized programs that can lead to viruses.” Therefore, just as you are careful about locking your home before leaving it, it is equally essential for you to invest in technologies that safeguard your business’s livelihood.
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By taking advantage of contemporary technological advancements, you can protect your business against a variety of cyber threats, such as malware and bots, spam, hacked accounts, unsecured wireless network and many more. Smart technology is also key in ensuring your workspace is protected against break-ins or any other physical threats. Here are five simple yet crucial defense technology strategies that can have a huge impact in regards to protecting your business data and physical assets:

Audit Network Protections
Over the past 50 years, new technologies and consequent space-saving record-storage options have emerged and are overtaking traditional hard-copy record keeping. Figuring out the best record storage method for your business is the first step in securing your data. Experts at RecordNations state, “Electronic records, more commonly known as digital records, have come to quickly dominate the world of business record storage and management, and are primarily either Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS), or cloud-based.”

While digital storage is surely more secure than traditional hard-copy storage, data can still be vulnerable to cyber attacks. Thus, auditing your network protections is vital to securing your data. After figuring out how and where your data is stored, you need to find what access points are available and who can use them. With a basic awareness of your network vulnerabilities, you can exercise caution and pick appropriate security measures.

Install a Firewall
A firewall is a great initial solution that can prevent a cyberattack from escalating. Thompson describes a quality firewall as either hardware or software based, and one that will effectively secure your business’s private network from the web. While each firewall may have its own particular features, all will typically block anything harmful or even suspicious from entering your business network. Make sure you choose a specific firewall after thoroughly reading reviews, in order to best serve the needs of your business.

Replace Keys with Smartphones
Smart locks, virtual keys, and geofencing technologies are all mind-blowing technologies that can help secure your business. With these, you won’t have to worry about those pesky employees who often misplace keys, or constantly stress that your workplace is unprotected when you're away.

Guy Brewer, in an article of IFSEC Global, writes about the capabilities of smart locks. These systems replace a physical key with a virtual key on an employee’s smartphone, enabling easy access into the office. This solution greatly reduces the risk of misplaced or lost keys, as employees are rather unlikely to lose their personal smart devices.

Brewer states that “geofencing technology – defined as a ‘virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area’ – enables business owners to be notified when someone enters or leaves the property, so any out of hours trespassers will be caught out.” This way, you can pay attention to more pressing office matters, rather than continuously having to check who’s entering and exiting the office.

Monitor Your Office Remotely
For you to ensure that everything is in order in your absence, considering using smart technology to monitor your office remotely. Smart security cameras allow you to check on the office through your mobile device and even replay past footage, no matter where in the world you might be. According to Brewer, “In a similar way to smart security cameras, smart alarm kits work to keep offices safe and secure except with the use of motion sensors or detectors; as soon as a business owner leaves the office for the evening, the kit can be activated and will instantly notify them via smartphone if the alarms are triggered.”

Secure Your Email Provider
​Email attachments are probably the most frequently used means of trojans and virus transmissions. With the manifold advancements in technology available, it’s easy to overlook securing “older” tech aspects like email and passwords. Obviously, this is a grave mistake. Thompson from Business.org draws on the example of the “Melissa” virus from the late ’90s, that spread through an email attachment and brought the internet to its knees.  

As emails are necessary for business communication, you should take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of potentially harmful email inclusions. Choose an email provider that continually updates technology, and places an emphasis on security through anti-virus and spam protection. Additionally, consider using email encryption programs for added security.

Today, businesses rely heavily on electronic devices and consume data at an unprecedented rate. These factors might make businesses more efficient, but also contribute to the rising rates of cybercrime. Thus, superior security measures are crucial for a business to remain protected. Ultimately, only those businesses which implement effective measures to secure their livelihood will thrive in today’s technologically advanced world.
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