Introduction
In the modern world, information is considered one of the most valuable assets. It is rational to invest in the development of qualitative and instant information sharing systems because this approach leads to a significant advantage in the market. That is why individuals and businesses draw specific attention to protect their data from unauthorized use. Multiple information security rules and regulations exist, but many companies still keep suffering from problems in this area. It is so because some firms show negligence, while others fail to address their security matters correctly. This assignment’s principal aim is to comment on the effective information security rules and devices and how small businesses should apply them to achieve higher information security.
Addressing Small Businesses
To begin with, one should explain why the focus is on small businesses. On the one hand, Ključnikov et al. admit that such enterprises represent the most important segment of the world economy (2082). It is so because significant amounts of financial and human resources are involved in this sphere throughout the globe. On the other hand, Noguerol and Branch stipulate that small businesses more often face information leakages compared to large organizations (9). This state of affairs is explained by the fact that small companies usually have financial restrictions, draw little attention to the problems that do not directly relate to the business, and others. These details mean that such businesses should use some of the most effective information security practices that will be described below.
Information Security Rules for Employees
Even though the issue of information security in the modern world is inevitably connected with the Internet and technology, the first recommendations will address employees. It refers to the fact that employees are responsible for protecting their employers from hacker attacks. According to Tariq, “only 30 percent of employees receive annual cybersecurity training” (par. 4). This statistical evidence reveals that a limited cohort of small businesses knows how to defend themselves against such a cyber-threat. However, these individuals should be aware of specific security protocols on how to behave to avoid security issues. For example, the key points include to backup data, avoid suspicious websites, update software, and others. These simple actions do not guarantee that a business will avoid a hacker attack, but they increase the probability that the firm will minimize the possible adverse consequences.
Furthermore, it is essential to encourage employees to use strong passwords because this strategy has the potential to increase information security. According to the US Small Business Administration, a strong password should consist of at least ten characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (par. 21). This fact will noticeably reduce the probability that hackers will manage to crack the password. It is also unwise to use the same login details to access multiple accounts. Unique passwords for different websites denote that even if criminals crack a single password, they will not use it for other accounts.
Specific attention should also be drawn to mobile device use regulations. It is so because employees can access confidential information via their phones, which can result in some security issues. That is why every employee should know that their devices should be protected with passwords that should meet the criteria above. The following piece of advice is to encrypt the data. This fact ensures that criminals will not manage to use the information even if they manage to steal it. Finally, a useful option is to install appropriate security apps that are responsible for tracking that the device does not have any dangerous applications and programs. It is also reasonable to establish specific guidelines for employees on what to do if they have lost their equipment (Federal Communications Commission par. 10). The following section will comment on specific devices and technological solutions that can enhance information security.
Devices and Operating Systems
The given guidelines will focus on the computer-use policy details. Bryan has conducted a quantitative study and identified that there is a positive correlation between this phenomenon and the small business information security (355). The rationale behind this claim is that hackers usually steal information via the Internet. Consequently, a firm should use technologies that are not easy to hack for criminals. A few suitable options for small businesses will be described below.
Firstly, it is rational to make the authentication procedure as secure as possible. It is possible to achieve this goal with the help of many ways, and multifactor authentication seems a suitable option. The US Small Business Administration explains that this approach is effective because a person may access a website if they enter a security code that can be sent to their phones or e-mails (par. 22). This requirement ensures that cracked passwords will not be sufficient for hackers to access and steal data. However, it is impossible to mention that multifactor authentication is an ideal information security measure because criminals have some opportunities to overcome this barrier. For example, Tariq mentions that hackers “can swap a phone’s SIM card or install malware that tracks a devise’s keystrokes and monitor an electronic screen” (par. 10). That is why the following information will highlight how small businesses can keep improving their information security.
Since it has been described that criminals can overcome multifactor authentication, it is reasonable to consider installing anti-virus and anti-malware software. If almost everyone is familiar with anti-virus application, anti-malware software should deserve specific attention. According to Tariq, these two information security measures deal with finding and identifying threats (par. 12). However, the difference refers to the fact that anti-malware software is responsible for detecting applications that do not represent a threat but can decrease information security. As has been mentioned above, it relates to programs and applications that can monitor devices’ screens. Users can download and install these applications without being aware of their dangerous functions. Consequently, it is challenging to overestimate the importance of anti-malware software in the modern world when people tend to download everything without reading terms of use. Examples of effective anti-malware software include Norton, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, and others.
It is also rational to address those Wi-Fi networks that are used for business purposes. The Federal Communications Commission stipulates that these networks should be “secure, encrypted, and hidden” (par. 13). Since security depends on the quality of a password and the importance of data encryption has already been discussed, it is necessary to draw attention to how one can hide a Wi-Fi network. According to the Federal Communication Commission, a network is hidden when a router or wireless access point “does not broadcast the network name, known as the Service Set Identified (SSID)” (par. 13). This scenario will contribute to the fact that it will not be easy for people from the outside to access the given network.
A few additional measures are also effective for small businesses. Firstly, it is necessary to provide an Internet connection with firewall security. It will ensure that outsiders will not access the business’s private network. Secondly, regular updates are essential because they mean that the protective software meets the current challenges. These measures are worth considering because they minimize the possibility that hackers will manage to enter the system and steal information.
Finally, it is necessary to emphasize that all the recommendations above are suitable to support security of operating systems in addition to their standard features. For example, there is Windows Information Protection (WIP), and it minimizes the possibility of data leakage. In turn, iOS also offers appropriate security options to protect their users. However, small businesses should also train their employees, hide Wi-Fi networks, update anti-viruses, and others because this multi-faceted approach to the problem increases the probability of achieving positive outcomes.
Conclusion
Information security is a significant issue in the modern world, and small businesses should draw specific attention to protect their data. It is possible to divide the recommended steps into two groups. The first refers to the pieces of advice that govern employee’s behavior. The effective guidelines include cybersecurity training, the creation of appropriate passwords, and mobile phone use rules. The second group implies the computer-use policy regulations, and it describes specific software that can improve information security. For example, possible options are multifactor authentication, anti-viruses, hidden Wi-Fi networks, and others. In conclusion, one can say that small businesses will benefit more if they manage to combine all the measures above because it will be more complicated for hackers to overcome multiple protective barriers.
Works Cited
Bryan, Lisa Lee. “Effective Information Security Strategies for Small Business.” International Journal of Cyber Criminology, vol. 14, no. 1, 2020, pp. 341-360.
Federal Communications Commission. “Cybersecurity for Small Business.”
Ključnikov, Aleksandr, et al. “Information Security Management in SMEs: Factors of Success.” Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, vol. 6, no. 4, 2019, pp. 2081-2094.
Noguerol, Luis O, and Robert Branch. “Leadership and Electronic Data Security within Small Businesses: An Exploratory Case Study.” Journal of Economic Development, Management, IT, Finance and Marketing, vol. 10, no. 2, 2018, pp. 7-35.
Small Business Administration. “Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats.” Web.
Tariq, Imran. “Cybersecurity Practices that Protect Your Small Business.” Entrepreneur, 2020.