• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Submissions
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Feb 2, 2023
  • Startup
    • Creating a Plan
    • Funding a Startup
    • Franchise Center
    • Getting Your Office Ready
    • Making Your Business Official
    • Marketing Your New Business
    • Personal Readiness
  • Run & Grow
    • Customer Service
    • Human Resources
    • Innovation
    • Legal
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
  • Leadership
    • Best Practices
    • Communication
    • Green Initiatives
    • Open Culture
    • Strategic Planning
    • People Skills
  • Sales & Marketing
    • Advertising and Lead Generation
    • Marketing Innovations
    • Marketing Plans
    • Online Marketing
    • Relationships
    • Sales Activities
  • Finance
    • Budgeting and Personal Finance
    • Payments and Collections
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Pricing Strategy
    • Working with Investors
    • Working with Lenders
  • Tech
    • eCommerce
    • Hardware
    • Software
    • Security
    • Tech Reviews
    • Telecom
  • Shop

SmallBizClub

Helping You Succeed

taxbandits banner
Home / Technology / Security / Your Small Business is in Danger: How to Kick an Identity Stalker to the Curb
Your Small Business is in Danger: How to Kick an Identity Stalker to the Curb

Your Small Business is in Danger: How to Kick an Identity Stalker to the Curb

3185 Views

Aug 23, 2013 By Morgan Sims

Small companies have the highest risk of identity theft out of any other kind of businesses. There are many areas of vulnerability because of the way most small businesses operate. If you don’t want your business and your identity to become part of the 75% of all identity theft crime, here are some security measures you can take.

 
Low-Tech Solutions
 
If you keep sensitive information, such as social security numbers, tax ID numbers, bank accounts, credit card data, and driver’s license numbers, in a hard copy format, consider moving those files off-site. Paper files with private information are easy to duplicate or outright steal, so identity thieves target this kind of content first. Store hard copies of private info in a secure place away from the workplace. This will make it harder for thieves, whether from inside the company or outside, to gain access.
 
Screening is Essential
 
A startling amount of identity theft in small businesses comes from internal staff. This is why it’s very important to screen all potential employees and contractors before giving them access to private information. Spending a little extra money on background checks and a bit more time on in-depth interviews can save you vast amounts of lost time and money, on identity recovery down the line. It is also extremely important to speak to references, and even previous employers that aren’t listed as references to gauge a candidate’s trustworthiness in their previous positions.
 
Eyes on the Books
 
Running a small business is hectic, but it’s important to take the time to monitor your account information regularly. Everything from payroll to the credit and debit database needs to be analyzed at least once-a-month to check for irregularities or unauthorized access of information. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, delegate the duty to an employee you trust. Many small businesses have employees with multiple titles and responsibilities, but to ensure the company’s financial safety consider hiring or designating a current employee whose sole task is managing finances and accounts.
 
System Security
 
There’s no excuse for keeping privileged data on an unsecured computer. All company machines, especially those that handle private information, should be fully equipped with firewall and antivirus software that updates often, and has a full suite of features to scan websites, email, and all other forms of incoming data. You can also take advantage of additional protections through your Internet service provider. For example, AOL Lifelock provide data recovery benefits should you suspect a breach to your company’s security.
 
Emergency Planning
 
No matter how many security measures you implement to protect the data your company handles, there is no way to be 100% risk-free. You should outline a thorough plan you can put into action in the event of confirmed or suspected data theft. This should include steps to slow or halt data transfer, how to contact potential victims and what to say to them, how to go about data recovery, and if necessary, how to involve authorities. This may seem like over-planning, but it is no less essential to the security of your company than a fire escape procedure is essential to the safety of your workers.
 
The difference between a data-secure company and an at-risk company is preparedness. With a mix of technological assistance and old-fashioned vigilance, you can keep your business out of the identity theft statistics and guarantee security for your customers.
 
What steps do you take to protect your small business?

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: Data, Morgan Sims, Network Security, Risk Management, Security

Morgan Sims

Morgan Sims

Morgan Sims is a freelance writer who loves all things tech and social media. When she's not trying out new gadgets and tweeting she spends most of her time with her dog, cooking and staying active. Follow her @MorganSims00.

Related Posts

  • embracing-cloud-security--infographic-A Complete Guide to Security Service Edge (SSE)
  • 5 Ways Small Businesses Can Embrace Smart Home Technology
  • These Are the 8 Vulnerable Areas of Your Business to Lockdown Now

Primary Sidebar

Random

10-entrepreneur-milestones-that-make-funding-easy

How Funding Data Can Improve Investor Outcomes

Feb 2, 2023 By SmallBizClub

two-key-digital-innovations-for-small-business

What Can You Do to Give Your Business a Boost?

Feb 2, 2023 By Charlotte Sylvester

5 Tips for Self-Financing Your Startup

Feb 1, 2023 By Lending Tree

Best Places to Buy Property in Portugal: Quick Overview

Feb 1, 2023 By SmallBizClub

4-services-you-need-when-moving-into-a-new-office

Key Factors in Choosing a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Property

Jan 31, 2023 By SmallBizClub

Footer

About Us

Small Biz Club is the premier destination for small business owners and entrepreneurs. To succeed in business, you have to constantly learn about new things, evaluate what you’re doing, and look for ways to improve—that’s what we’re here to help you do.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 by Tarkenton Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms | Privacy