Serious Job Protecting Small Business Client Information | @eVisionMedia

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The Serious Job of Protecting Client Information

The Serious Job of Protecting Client Information

6 Important Small Business Cyber Security Tips

Chances are, you think twice before entering your credit card information online to buy something, watch out for malicious links in emails and keep your PC updated against viruses, spyware and hackers.

However, how much thought do you put into your small business data security and protecting client information?

Hopefully a lot, because according to Microsoft:

  • An attacker resides within a network for an average of 146 days before detection
  • The average cost of a data breach to a business is $3.8 million
  • The total cost of cybercrime to the global community in 2016 was $500 billion
  • 63 percent of attacks are the result of compromised user passwords and usernames

As these threats continue to become more sophisticated, legislation must too.

In Canada, many government departments such as the Department of Justice, RCMP, Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada work together with international, federal and provincial law enforcement agencies against cybercrime.

Canadian government agencies working against cybercrime

That’s great, but you want to stop any potential attacks before your client’s data security is breached!

And, if you’re thinking that your site is too small to appeal to hackers, think again. Sometimes a cybercriminal’s intention isn’t to gather sensitive content, but to relay spam emails from your server.

Let’s use the example of a membership site for these small business cybersecurity tips.

A membership website has specific resources available for members who generally pay a one-time or recurring fee to get content such as videos, eBooks, articles or tutorials.

Because people are entering sensitive information such as email addresses, passwords and payment information to access my content, we need to be vigilant about how we keep them safe from online threats. (A secure site is also more likely to earn trust, which in turn can increase revenue.)

To help safeguard your client’s data security, I suggest you:

  1. Choose a reputable web host. Don’t just go for the cheapest! I compiled a list of web hosting providers that I recommend; you can view it here.
  2. Install an SSL certificate on your site. This means having HTTPS vs. HTTP in the URL. This is the prefix to your web address, and the SSL provides additional security and makes it harder for hackers to access.

    You can often add this service to your web hosting package for free, or for a small cost. An added bonus: a secure site can actually rank higher in Google.

  3. As soon as you see a new software update, install it. Many membership sites are built in WordPress, which lets you simply click the ‘Update Now’ button. This helps keep cybercriminals from taking advantage of security flaws in older versions.

    Similarly, look for plugins to help manage online security.Sucuri WP Plugin

  4. Enforce complex passwords. Request or even demand that users create passwords with a combo of upper and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers. This will deter people from using ‘12345’ as a password.

    You can also install a plugin on your WordPress site that only gives someone a number of tries to log in to before they’re locked out.

  5. Approve comments manually. Spammers love unattended comments! They can post links there that a) may drive traffic back to their site and b) may trick Google (however briefly) into thinking that their site has valuable content.
  6. Clean up information that’s no longer relevant. Previous members, people who have cancelled, those who have completed your course…get rid of user info and payment info as often as you can.

By following these small business cyber security tips, you can minimize the risk that your website is going to be targeted by scammers or cybercriminals.

Don’t cut corners when it comes to protecting client information, and you can create a safe space for loyal fans who feel comfortable handing over their personal and payment info.

Of course, there are many more components to maintaining a secure website. We’re experts at keeping our client’s data secure so that they can focus on running an effective business. Contact us to see how we can help.

To your business success,
Susan Friesen

P.S. If you liked the article, you might want to subscribe to our newsletter. We publish tons of valuable content to help you learn more about marketing, and subscribing is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out. Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about creating a successful and profitable website, while avoiding costly mistakes, click here for our free report on the 6 Critical Steps to Creating a Successful and Profitable Website.

Is Your Website Safe and Secure?

Being proactive and protecting your website now is so much easier than dealing with the devastation, disruption, and huge costs of a hacked site, lost data, and destroyed Google rankings.

Every website is vulnerable, which is why we're offering you a Security & Maintenance Plan at an amazing discount.

While no plan can guarantee you'll never be hacked, this cutting-edge program comes close. The Security & Maintenance Plan includes:

  • Continuous state-of-the-art monitoring and "next-generation application firewall" protection against spam, malware, and other malicious attempts
  • Ongoing automatic backups of your site in case it ever needs to be restored
  • Site checks for broken images and links so it runs quickly and smoothly
  • Regular updates of your WordPress site and plugins for optimal performance and security
  • And much more...

While many security and maintenance plans are between $150 to $300 or more per month, we're able to offer you the affordable price of only:

$97 per month, if prepaid every 12 months
$107 per month, if prepaid every 6 months

This is something all website owners should invest in. Not only does it provide your business assets with a layer of protection against numerous attacks, but it also gives you peace of mind knowing if anything should go wrong, your site can be brought back online quickly with minimal hassle.

Send an email or give us a call at 604-855-4643 and let's talk about how investing in this low-cost plan can save you a huge amount of grief and expense in the future.

Contact Us Now
Susan Friesen offering Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients free guide
Susan Friesen offering Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients free guide

About the Author, Susan Friesen

Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.

Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.


Visit www.BrandIdentitySteps.com and download your FREE guide: "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients".

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