07/04/2021
Small Business IT: Big 3 Issues to address NOW!
If your home, startup or small business operates anything online, uses digital payment systems, or requires the use of any computer system, your business needs to do these things NOW!
With the rise of small business operating online through COVID-19, and startups only operating online, keeping these systems online are business essential. Most small businesses lack the resources for a dedicated trained and certified IT team. However, you rely on these systems to operate your business and rely on these systems for income. Following these steps will help identify faults in your IT business plan and keep you running!
1. Conduct a IT Risk Analysis
Conduct a IT dedicated risk assessment. NIST SP 800-30 is the industry standard for IT risk assessments. Don't have time or resources? Do this instead:
Identify business essential systems: This would include payment processing systems, website ordering, or critical documents such as tax documents.
Unsure? Ask yourself, if I did not have this system for two+ weeks, would I still make enough? How about reputation? Can you afford being known as unreliable?
2. Redundancy on business critical systems
Now that you know your list of critical business systems, lets look at creating redundant systems. Have a backup for payment systems. This can be a smartphone with card swiping device, backing up your documents to the cloud, or using a hybrid cloud with on premise systems. Ensure there is no single point of failure!
3. Mitigate the threats and vulnerabilities
Is ransomware a major vulnerability to you? then mitigate it. Mitigate the threats until you reach the point of acceptable risk for you. From power generation, HVAC, environmental hazards, security of critical devices, and security from hackers.
Does your local IT team not know how? Get them trained, or hire someone to mitigate those threats.
Overall
Ultimately, if you don't know how, get someone to help!
I offer lots of FREE advice and tips to help small businesses and non-profits. Send me a message!
If your home, startup or small business operates anything online, uses digital payment systems, or requires the use of any computer system, your business needs to do these things NOW! With the rise of small business operating online through COVID-19, and startups only o...
