Do you know what Data Loss means for SMBs? Don’t worry, we have covered everything you should know. Read to know more. You’ve likely heard horror stories of companies losing information on a computer and it might have happened to you personally. As a business owner, you must take the steps necessary to prepare for a data loss event, in the unfortunate instance that it happens at some point in the future.
Defining Data Loss
Data loss refers to the loss of sensitive or valuable information on a computer. Few things have as serious an impact as this event.
Even after restoring backups, you must think about how much productivity was lost, especially if you didn’t prepare in advance for this scenario. In addition to the loss of vital info and productivity, lost data can also harm your business reputation if there is a security breach. What’s more, the financial hit that results from a data loss event could mean that you are in a position where you need to lay off employees to stay afloat.
Common Reasons for Data Loss for SMBs
There are many reasons why sensitive information might get lost. Some of the most frequent reasons are human error, hackers, theft, and power failure.
For example, a thief might take your laptop to the airport terminal. Also, viruses and malware can infect your business network and result in the loss of huge chunks of data.
Power surges and outages can hurt computers too as they force them to shut down without using the proper processes. Or, someone on your team might accidentally spill liquid on a laptop keyboard and damage the inner workings of it.
Preparing for the Risks of Data Loss
Rather than having a data loss event happen and not knowing how to respond, instead, it’s best to plan what to do if it ever does occur and minimize the risks of it. Begin by educating your staff about types of cyber-attacks, so they are not as likely to become victims. For instance, explain that clicking on a link in an email from someone they don’t know is not a safe action.
If you’re not sure where to start with preparing for a data loss event, reach out to Integrated Computer Services for a free consultation. They can work with you to build a data backup and recovery strategy that enables their experts to retrieve any important information if there is damage to data storage.
Creating regular backups to both the cloud and an external hard drive of your data is a generally good rule of thumb to follow. This way, you have three places where your data is stored, which significantly reduces the chance of complete data loss.
Network security tools, as well as antivirus software, are elements that need to be part of your small business if you want it to enjoy a long lifespan. Also, ensure you have support for both data backup and recovery so that you always safeguard your organization’s data.
Conclusions on Data Loss for SMBs
The reality is that data breaches, thieves, and online hackers are a threat to businesses of any size. Yes, even yours. While you might not think you are vulnerable, each organization is — to some degree. Take steps to prepare for the worst, just in case it happens to your business.
