Is Information Security Really Important?
In regards to the question proposed by the title: Yes, information security is of the utmost importance, especially for any new enterprise company.
As an individual, the truth is that identity theft isn't entirely likely. Yes, it happens, but not quite as often as the commercials for security software would have you believe. It's about as common as, say, having your car stolen. You still want to protect yourself, but you don't need to be looking over your shoulder every hour of the day.
On the other hand, if you're running a business: You are a target.
It could very well be that your company is just starting up and you have pretty much nothing in the corporate account so far. But that doesn't matter to information thieves. They want in. Many computer criminals who would never steal from an individual will look at a company, any company, and think of them as a faceless entity, not as a collection of individuals, and they will freely, and guiltlessly, rob them blind.
If you want to prevent this, take these steps...
Secure Yourself With Software
You want to know everything there is to know about basic software security. The easiest way to keep hackers out is to simply set your firewall, set up your security protocols, get some good anti-virus software and make sure that every computer you use to run your business is totally secure. This won't keep all of the hackers out, but it'll keep most of them out. What it will do is keep you MOSTLY safe. Again, you are a target, and a big target, at that. Very few working joes will be targeted by hackers, but for a company, for a CEO, it's only a matter of time before someone wants a piece of you.
Talk to a Professional
If you're just starting out, you probably can't afford to keep a "computer guy" on staff right now. But what you can do is bring someone in for a consultation. Ask them what you can do to keep your information, and your customer's information, safe. Ask what you can do to keep hackers out, and what sort of security protocols you'll need in order to make sure that you don't have any disgruntled employees stealing information from you. Ask every question that comes across your mind so that you'll have a good idea of how to set yourself up against information theft, and if you like the answers they gave you, keep their phone number handy in case you need their help in the future.
Know the Law
Study the law as it pertains to computer security. For example, let's say you have an employee who you suspect may have stolen some information from you. You know that, if he was using a company laptop, that you can just check it for clues. But what if he may have stolen information from you with his own laptop? What can you do about it? Well, if you don't know, you'll want to study up.
As an individual, the truth is that identity theft isn't entirely likely. Yes, it happens, but not quite as often as the commercials for security software would have you believe. It's about as common as, say, having your car stolen. You still want to protect yourself, but you don't need to be looking over your shoulder every hour of the day.
On the other hand, if you're running a business: You are a target.
It could very well be that your company is just starting up and you have pretty much nothing in the corporate account so far. But that doesn't matter to information thieves. They want in. Many computer criminals who would never steal from an individual will look at a company, any company, and think of them as a faceless entity, not as a collection of individuals, and they will freely, and guiltlessly, rob them blind.
If you want to prevent this, take these steps...
Secure Yourself With Software
You want to know everything there is to know about basic software security. The easiest way to keep hackers out is to simply set your firewall, set up your security protocols, get some good anti-virus software and make sure that every computer you use to run your business is totally secure. This won't keep all of the hackers out, but it'll keep most of them out. What it will do is keep you MOSTLY safe. Again, you are a target, and a big target, at that. Very few working joes will be targeted by hackers, but for a company, for a CEO, it's only a matter of time before someone wants a piece of you.
Talk to a Professional
If you're just starting out, you probably can't afford to keep a "computer guy" on staff right now. But what you can do is bring someone in for a consultation. Ask them what you can do to keep your information, and your customer's information, safe. Ask what you can do to keep hackers out, and what sort of security protocols you'll need in order to make sure that you don't have any disgruntled employees stealing information from you. Ask every question that comes across your mind so that you'll have a good idea of how to set yourself up against information theft, and if you like the answers they gave you, keep their phone number handy in case you need their help in the future.
Know the Law
Study the law as it pertains to computer security. For example, let's say you have an employee who you suspect may have stolen some information from you. You know that, if he was using a company laptop, that you can just check it for clues. But what if he may have stolen information from you with his own laptop? What can you do about it? Well, if you don't know, you'll want to study up.
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