In an effort to help owners of small businesses leverage new Internet technologies while minimizing the risk of lost, stolen or corrupted information and data, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a list of tips for combatting cyber threats.
The tip list, which was released in mid-May, is part of the Commission’s overall effort to create greater awareness of the risk of digital information theft and fraud, which is quickly surpassing physical theft of property as a primary concern among business owners. But, while the Commission’s tip list is intended for small business owners, almost all of its recommendations are equally applicable to individual users.
Here’s the FCC’s list of the top 10 actions that businesses can take to prevent or minimize cyber threats:
- Train employees in security principles
- Protect information, computers and networks from viruses, spyware and other malicious code
- Provide firewall security for your Internet connection
- Download and install software updates for your operating system and applications as they become available
- Make backup copies of important business data and information
- Control physical access to your computers and network components
- Secure your Wi-Fi networks
- Require individual user accounts for each employee
- Limit employee access to data and information, and limit authority to install software
- Regularly change passwords
More information about the FCC’s cybersecurity tips for small businesses, as well as other cybersecurity resources, is available at the FCC’s new webpage.
