{"id":1569,"date":"2022-03-10T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T17:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nexthop.ca\/it-news\/?p=1569"},"modified":"2022-03-14T01:00:02","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T08:00:02","slug":"data-protection-tips-for-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexthop.ca\/it-news\/data-protection-tips-for-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Protection Tips for Small Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While data protection and cybersecurity services are often regarded as solutions that are intended for large companies, they can be invaluable for small businesses. Whether you own a small accounting business, make custom furniture, or provide local catering services, it is crucial to keep your customer data and financial information safe from various threats. As a leading provider of <a href=\"https:\/\/nexthop.ca\/cyber-security-services.php\">cybersecurity services<\/a>, the team at Next Hop Solutions knows how detrimental stolen or corrupted data can be for businesses of all sizes. That is why we have compiled a list of <strong>data protection tips for small businesses<\/strong> to demonstrate why proper security measures are important even if you do not have a large technical component for your operation.<\/p>\n<p>Learn <a href=\"https:\/\/nexthop.ca\/it-news\/what-is-a-vpn\/\">what a VPN is<\/a> and how it can enhance security for your business.<\/p>\n<h2>4 Tips to Help Small Businesses Protect Their Data<\/h2>\n<p>Nearly every business creates, gathers, and stores data during their daily operations. This can range from performing services and selling products to tracking expenses and gathering customer information. To ensure that this data is safe from viruses, cybercriminals, or damaged hardware, consider the following tips:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Secure Your Wireless Network<\/h3>\n<p>Wireless networks are a popular target for cybercriminals. This is especially true for unsecured public connections and networks with simple passwords. While most networks utilize a standard encryption key, this is often not enough. Be sure to use the strongest encryption setting for your router and disable the broadcasting function to make your network invisible to anyone except you and your employees. Using a VPN will further enhance security, so consider investing in a solution that fits your needs and budget.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Perform Regular Audits<\/h3>\n<p>Regular security audits allow you to see potential security risks or areas where your systems can be improved before they become an issue. Audits can also ensure that you are still complying with current data and privacy legislation, eliminating the risk of fines or legal action.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Keep Your Data Backed up<\/h3>\n<p>If your data is ever compromised, lost, or corrupted, you are either going to be glad you made a backup or wish that you did. Backing your data up to a cloud-based server or copying data to external hard drives are both great methods for keeping your vital data safe.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Choose the Right IT Provider<\/h3>\n<p>Cybersecurity, audits, and data backups are all examples of tasks that can be handled by a managed IT provider. If you do not have the time to manage these tasks or want assistance from a professional, it is important to choose an experienced and proven IT provider that understands the needs of your business.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about our cybersecurity solutions or managed IT services, get in touch with the team at Next Hop Solutions. We can be reached through our online contact form or by phone at 1-855-482-5141 and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services or the needs of your business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While data protection and cybersecurity services are often regarded as solutions that are intended for large companies, they can be invaluable for small businesses. Whether you own a small accounting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cyber-security","category-data-backup"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Data Protection Tips for Small Businesses<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether your business is large or small, it is crucial to ensure that your data is safe from viruses, and damaged hardware. 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