The words Corporate Security may conjure up images of a group of techies working in a wire-filled basement room of Microsoft or HP, combating hackers and terrorists online using words like algorithm and encryption. If you own your own business, do not allow yourself to think that security is only for big corporations. Every company, big or small, technological or traditional, has two major security concerns: protecting information, and protecting hardware.
Information is the commodity that makes companies unique. That information could be a process your company does better than others; or it could be how to make the unique product you sell; or it could be a collection of information that you have that others want access to. In any case, protecting the information that makes your company viable could mean financial life or death for your venture. There are three simple corporate security solutions you can implement to decrease the likelihood that your information will be leaked or lost.
Make back ups often. If you are like 90% of computer users out there who use Windows, pressing [ctrl] + S is a habit well worth forming. Besides information, time is one of your most valuable resources, so you can't afford to lose hours of work every time the system crashes. Save your work as often as you stop typing. Making additional copies of master files in other places beside your hard drive will mean you won't lose everything if your hard drive becomes corrupted. Keep these discs in a safe place where you can easily access them if you need to.
Keep secret passwords secret. This may seem like a no-brainer, but too often we think of passwords as annoyances slowing us down. Systems are password-protected to ensure that only those persons who should be allowed access are granted access. If you are working out of a home office and have little face-to-face interaction with clients or customers, you may be tempted to leave your system unlocked or pin a list of your user names and passwords near the computer. Remember that children are both curious and smart, and in only a few clicks of the mouse they can accidentally erase important files. Do yourself the favor of memorizing your passwords and changing them on occasion.
Maintain an up-to-date computer system. Computers that run slower also have the terrible tendency of getting overloaded and shutting down. The internet is one of the biggest culprits of bogging down your processing speed, but running several programs at the same time will also do it. Keeping your processor and memory up-to-date will help ensure that you are able to perform all the tasks that are required of you without having to spend a lot of time waiting for your computer to catch up.
Chances are good that IBM's annual technology budget is quite a bit larger than your home business's budget. Between putting food on the table and covering the operating costs of your business, purchasing new equipment might seem like a luxury you'll never have. Protecting your computer system from viruses, spy ware, and malicious software is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure your computer will last as long as you need it to.
Know what is on your computer. Viruses can come through email, discs, or the internet, and are typically well-hidden on your hard drive. Perform systematic checks of the temporary internet files, cookies folder, and the rest of your hard drive to ensure that you have not accidentally picked up a virus. Software can be purchased that filters spam and helps you manage the internet files and cookies that are downloaded automatically on your computer. A proactive approach in combating viruses and spy ware is usually the most effective way to make sure your hardware stays protected.
Though corporate security solutions may seem like a luxury your home business can not afford, protecting information and hardware are priorities that all companies should have. Following these simple, inexpensive solutions to common security concerns your company may have will go a long way in helping you succeed.
Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing ? More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For more information about cost-effective corporate security solutions, visit ContentWatch.com.
Much has been said on the theory of password protection... Read More
The average computer is packed with hidden software that can... Read More
As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More
Spelt phishing, but pronounced as above, this despicable act is... Read More
We all get the odd virus now and then, but... Read More
At this point, if you've got the whole "turning the... Read More
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from... Read More
Despite the current wave of identity theft and corporate security... Read More
The IFCC (Internet Fraud Complaint Center) received over 200,000 complaint... Read More
If you have used a Windows machine for a while,... Read More
In recent days, I was one of the unfortunate persons... Read More
May. 16th 2005 - MicroWorld has reported the discovery of... Read More
When we think of adware, what comes to mind are... Read More
Blaster, Welchia, Sobig, W32, Backdoor, Trojan, Melissa, Klez, Worm, Loveletter,... Read More
Nowadays more and more people are using a computer. A... Read More
Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom ---------------------------------------- As a network... Read More
According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) email scams also... Read More
Spyware is software or hardware installed on a computer without... Read More
When the Internet first came about, it was realized it... Read More
Over the past few years as the internet has become... Read More
Watching how the traditional media covers the latest virus or... Read More
1. Importance of a Virus Scanner: A Antivirus program can... Read More
Spyware is the most troublesome software to appear on the... Read More
Security leaks can be a big problem for any site... Read More
The top five online scams on the Internet hit nearly... Read More
There is no doubt that "how-to articles" have become a... Read More
In 1997, I decided after 15 years as a practicing... Read More
Sooner or later everyone with an email account will receive... Read More
Over £5 billion pounds was spent on online shopping in... Read More
Blaster, Welchia, Sobig, W32, Backdoor, Trojan, Melissa, Klez, Worm, Loveletter,... Read More
Virus damage estimated at $55 billion in 2003. "SINGAPORE -... Read More
P C. owners are constantly at risk from attacks by... Read More
Some months ago, before there was much publicity regarding phishing... Read More
"Phishing," the latest craze among online evil-doers, has nothing to... Read More
When we think of adware, what comes to mind are... Read More
Internet is the ocean of knowledge. In this ocean you... Read More
There has not been a time in the history of... Read More
It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More
So called phishers try to catch the information about the... Read More
Is your data secure? Think again. Securing data is unlike... Read More
When it comes to a secure website and passwords it... Read More
Phishing is a relatively new form of online fraud that... Read More
Chris Simpson, head of Scotland Yard's computer crime unit was... Read More
Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom ---------------------------------------- As a network... Read More
No, this article isn't about some new, lose-20-pounds-in-a-week, certified-by-some-tan-Southern-California-doctor diet.... Read More
First, let's do a little recap'. As I stated in... Read More
Today's Internet or World Wide Web is being over regulated.But,... Read More
Have you ever got an email asking you to confirm... Read More
During the release of a new software product specialized to... Read More
Business on the internet is getting down right shameless. This... Read More
|