Cybersecurity is something that many think of as being reserved for big businesses like major tech firms. But when you’re operating your own small business as an online vitamin business, should you be worried about the security of your company? To help you answer this question and gear your organization for success, let’s take a closer look at the cybersecurity needs of any company and how you can boost your own security efforts.
Avoid a multitude of cyber threats.
The internet has provided us with a multitude of amazing opportunities in business and beyond. But even in all of its glory, there are plenty of threats lurking just below the surface. Some cyber threats that abound for small businesses include:
- Ransomware, which allows hackers to encrypt your data and erase it unless you pay the requested amount (although paying them may still not ensure that you get your data back)
- Email or website phishing, which is used to either infect your computer with malware or provide hackers access to information like passwords, credit card numbers, and social security numbers
- Keyloggers, which are installed onto your computer and help hackers see every keystroke that you make, revealing login information and more
- Viruses, which attack your system and make it more vulnerable for hackers to access
So, when it comes to cybersecurity, it’s not a matter of whether or not to make it a priority in your own business model. Rather, it’s a matter of how to ensure that you’re keeping your business protected from these active threats.
Cybersecurity Best Practices
Knowing that these threats lurk around every corner can be concerning. The good news? There are things that you can do to defend your business against these threats. To help you get started, here are some cybersecurity best practices to observe as you begin to turn your attention to keeping your business protected.
Develop systems and processes designed to protect your data.
Let’s imagine that you run an online vitamin business that has enlisted the help of a vitamins supplier to streamline your operations. With the support of a company that offers custom formulation, private label branding, and high-quality vitamin creation and fulfillment, you have eliminated some of the risks that falls on you as a business owner to develop and send out your own products. However, there is still one area that you may have overlooked: payment.
Operating an online store means accepting online payments, and accessing this information is certainly going to be a priority of hackers targeting your business. In order to keep customer information protected, you’ll want to take steps such as offering two-factor authentication to prevent hackers from accessing customer profiles and payments, turning to third-party applications for safer data storage, and using an e-commerce platform known for having a high level of security. Develop systems and processes as soon as possible to keep data safe from the hands of hackers so that your customers and your organization are kept safe.
Look for tools that can help you detect and eliminate threats.
We all make mistakes, which is why it’s important to have tools that don’t. Look for threat intelligence software that’ll actively track threats and scan your system, notify you when any threats are detected, secure your email to protect you from phishing attacks and malware, and keep your business credentials protected. With the right defense system on your side, you can rest assured that your systems are safeguarded from looming cyber threats.
Every business, regardless of its industry, needs to focus on cybersecurity. If you’re looking to improve your online vitamin business, use the guide above to learn more about why online security should be a priority and what you can do to help you build a stronger defense system to protect your business from these threats.
Train yourself and employees to recognize and avoid threats.
The truth is that both vulnerable systems and human error are equally responsible for allowing threats into your system. Set aside some time to develop a training program for yourself and your employees that helps everyone learn more about what types of threats exist, how to identify them when operating your business, and how to protect your business from seeing these threats in the first place. Education is always the first step towards designing a more secure organization!
