Small Business

If you run a small business, you may rely on technology to expand your reach and stay competitive, even if you don’t have a full-time IT staff.  We want you to have the information you need to protect your data, your networks, and your IT systems.

Here is an informative article entitled “What the Small Business Owner Needs to Know about Cybersecurity” written by Eric Basu on forbes.com.

Our small business page highlights “how-to” videos and tutorials about protecting information, creating cyber security plans, and learning about cyber threats. The page also features training materials for employees, free email updates, and other cyber security resources for small businesses.

Videos and Tutorials

Protecting Information: A Guide

A sound data security plan is built on five key principles: take stock, scale down, lock the information you need, properly dispose of the information you don’t need, and create a plan to respond to security incidents. Learn more about how you can implement these principles in your business with this interactive tutorial.

Creating A Cybersecurity Plan

The Small Biz Cyber Planner is an interactive resource that can help you create a customized cybersecurity plan for your business.

Mobile Apps

If you’re in the business of developing mobile apps, it’s important to give the straight story about what your app can do and be transparent about your privacy practices. Consider these tips if you’re developing an app.

Securing Your Wireless Network

To protect your company’s wireless network, use WPA2 encryption. This video provides step-by-step instructions and other tips for securing your wireless network.

IT Security for Small Business

This video from the National Institute of Standards and Technology describes computer hacking, denial-of-service attacks, laptop theft, insider abuse, computer viruses, and botnets, and encourages small business owners to define their security needs and establish IT security plans.

Articles and Publications

Privacy and Security

For many companies, collecting sensitive consumer and employee information is an essential part of doing business. The Federal Trade Commission’s BCP Business Center offers advice to help you properly secure or dispose of that data.

The Risks of P2P File-Sharing

If your company stores sensitive information in your files or on your computer systems, consider the risks of file-sharing software and learn what you can do to protect that sensitive information.

The Basics of Cloud Computing

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) provides basic information about “the cloud”.

Resources for Training Employees

The resources linked here are useful for everyone to keep their data secure.

Other Cybersecurity Resources for Business

Department of Homeland Security

For today’s business owners, protecting against information security risks is part of protecting their bottom line. DHS highlights cybersecurity resources available to small and medium-sized businesses to help protect against the increasing cybersecurity risks of theft, fraud and abuse.

Federal Communication Commission

The FCC has resources to help businesses develop a cybersecurity strategy to protect their business, their customers, and their data from growing cybersecurity threats.

Small Business Administration

The SBA provides information security resources and other useful advice for small businesses.