As you look at the business you have built and nurtured, what worries you most moving forward?
For some, it is being able to keep one’s revenue stream going strong. For others, meantime, it is the challenge of providing the utmost in customer service.
When it comes to that customer service, one of the keys to stellar service is making sure your customers can trust you are doing the best you can to protect their personal data.
That holds even truer in today’s world, especially given the rise in identity theft and cyber-criminal attacks on businesses and consumers.
So, how is your business doing its part to make sure customers and their data are as safe as can be?
Be on the Attack Against Cyber-Criminals
It doesn’t take much for one cyber-criminal to turn your business world upside down. When that happens, you have to react as quickly as possible, hoping to turn a potential disaster into a non-issue with consumers.
But what if you were more pro-active than reactive?
Yes, you never known when someone might try and attack your business, but you can do everything possible to safeguard your brand against such crimes.
Among the ways to do this:
- Plan ahead – Having a business continuity and disaster recovery plan (BCDR) in place gives you an advantage from the first day you open your business. With such a plan, you send a signal not only to potential criminals but also your customers; you will not be the victim of cyber-crimes. This starts by making sure the provider of your computer server is doing all they can to negate potential hacking. If you are not happy with your current server provider, shop around to see who offers better security options, especially given how important a secure network is in order to successfully operate your business;
- Practice commonsense – With the right server in place, it behooves you to practice commonsense as it relates to your online activities. Be wary of any requests to download attachments that you do not recognize. In some instances, cyber-criminals will try and pull the wool over your eyes by posing as someone you know. When that happens, you may be inclined to download an attachment, only to find it is filled with malware. If it looks suspicious, there’s probably a good reason for that;
- Your workers – Hiring the best talent for your business is a no-brainier, but how involved are you in vetting those you consider for employment? If you’re starting a business and will need to hire individuals to assist you, make sure you don’t hire folks out of the blue. In many cases, your employees are your first line of defense against cyber-attacks, so use them wisely. Show them some of the signs they need to beware of, lessening the chances your brand will fall victim to attack. Even though you’d like to think otherwise, don’t fool yourself that one or more of those under your employ could not turn out to be a criminal themselves. While the majority of company employees are hard-working and dedicated to those who give them jobs, some turn out to be stealing from their employers’ right under their noses;
- Your customers – Even though they do not work for you, your customers can play a pro-active role in decreasing the chances of cyber-crimes striking your business and their data. Make sure customers successfully enter any personal data when buying products or services from you online. If they are purchasing such items from you in-person, it is just as important that they do it carefully. This means not leaving credit cards and other personal financial data out in public view for those that might be looking to steal it. Receipts should also be properly guarded to protect against identity theft and related crimes.
In a day and age when there are unlimited mounds of data out there, it is crucial that business owners and customers alike do all they can to safeguard such information from thieves.
Remember, it just takes one serious cyber-crime incident to render your company’s data not so safe and sound.
Is that a chance you are willing to take?
