How can you help small businesses manage technology risks and security?

In my experience, small businesses often lack the resources for extensive cybersecurity measures, but this doesn't mean they can't be secure. I advocate for prioritizing the most critical assets and data, focusing on affordable yet effective security practices. It's also vital to educate and empower employees about basic cybersecurity hygiene, as this is often the first line of defense.

My point of view, it depends on level of GDP on countries in which small businesses are located and financial capacity and ability to have an effective management system , infrastructures , suitable technology ,good standards and regulations and sound culture too. I believe safety starts and ends by leadership and commitment and allocating required resources and having a motivation system. Process approach, PDCA cycle perspective and risk based thinking is necessary for achieving zero loss goal. I think , ITIS , is a very simple prescription for promoting OHS in workplaces.It includes Information , Training , Instruction and Supervision.We have to change behavior of small business employee to right thinking to Safety.

Through the SWOT analysis, we can get to know the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats as an organization. If the organization has a clear vision, we can choose what will be next to invest in and implement with minimum risk factors. Certain levels of automation in the organization can also help to maintain the operation with minimum resources.

Understanding the needs and pain points of your client is key for anybody advising/consulting any size of business, but especially for SMEs the question of existing capabilities and resources is crucial as well. Regarding technology risk it is also important to understand the impact of technological changes on the entire business model to analyse potential vulnerabilities and threats from a strategic perspective as well.

In my experience, companies, big or small, need to do a careful assessment of their technology needs, that is, whether they are better off looking at COTS products or developing capability in-house, whether to look at cloud solutions or on-prem solutions, whether to have an internal IT team or an outsourced arrangement, and so on. Meeting compliance and regulatory requirements should be given due consideration given the focus on data fabric, security and privacy. Any new technology application implementation should have security, integration and agility at its core so it can be configured as part of a wider ecosystem spanning platforms, products and processes.

One thing I've found helpful is starting with a comprehensive risk assessment tailored to the specific needs and context of the business. This involves identifying critical assets, potential threats, and vulnerabilities. It's important to evaluate not just technical aspects but also human factors and operational processes. By understanding the unique risk profile, we can prioritize actions and allocate resources more effectively, ensuring a balanced approach to managing both technology risks and security in a manner that aligns with the business's objectives and capabilities.

Identifying and analyzing possible threats can help you devise a plan to plug security gaps. As part of your risk assessment, determine where and how your data is stored and who has access to it. Identify who may want to access the data and how they may try to obtain it. Establish the risk levels of possible events and how breaches could potentially impact your company. Once this analysis is complete and you have identified threats, use the information you have collated to develop or refine your security and risk strategy. Review and update this strategy at regular intervals and whenever you make changes to information storage and usage. This ensures your data is always protected to the best of your ability.

Conducting a risk assessment is essential for small businesses to identify potential difficulties and costs, especially in the area of Human Relations. In my view, this is almost the most important area for companies of any size because: without people, there is no business ;-) Therefore, it is important to analyze the impact of a shortage of qualified workforce and to develop scenarios for the departure of the Baby Boomer generation from the labor market. Proactive planning can help minimize interruptions, secure business continuity, and above all: keep costs as low as possible. Few things are more expensive than unfilled positions in a company.

SWOT is the common framework to be used to control and minimise risk. Also asking the client what risks have you encountered before, or what do you think will come up. Be careful in your approach as you want to be investigative in approach. Prioritise risks in order of impact to the business. This can be done in sectors like financial impact, downtime etc.

Esta, en mi opinión es la actividad más importante: solo evaluando como tu cliente ejecuta sus actividades puedes determinar cuáles son sus riesgos reales, y proponerle soluciones adecuadas para gestionarlos, recordando que cada organización es única, y que lo que resulta óptimo para algunos, para otros no lo es tanto.

In addition to technology-based protections like firewalls and antivirus software, policy-based controls like access management and staff training should also be part of these security measures. To provide complete safety, it is essential to synchronize these measures with industry best practices. Keeping up with the most recent security methods and technology is part of this. Small enterprises should also make use of outside resources, such as hiring cybersecurity specialists or using information and standards supplied by the government. These outside sources can supplement the company's security efforts and offer insightful information, resulting in a more effective and durable risk management plan.

Implementing security measures effectively requires a strategic approach. I advocate for starting with the essentials: strong passwords, regular software updates, and basic network security. Then, depending on the risk assessment, focus on more specific measures like multi-factor authentication, encryption, and firewall protection. It's crucial to foster a culture of security awareness among employees, as they play a key role in defending against threats. The goal is to create a resilient security posture that aligns with your business operations and risk tolerance.

Just like holding a bird gently yet firmly enough to keep it safe without causing harm, a company must strike a balance in its security protocols. This involves implementing robust and adaptive security measures that protect against threats while still fostering an environment of trust and innovation. It requires ongoing assessments and adjustments, ensuring that security measures are effective without being overbearing. Only with this balanced approach, security becomes a seamless aspect of the company's culture and operations.

The implementation of effective safety measures is crucial for People Management/Human Relations in small businesses. This includes selecting the right target groups through appropriate channels and establishing a positive corporate culture to promote employee engagement and satisfaction. A safe and supportive working environment is key to long-term employee retention. This, in turn, is of paramount importance because for companies of any size, few things are more costly than unfilled positions!

Once the risks have been identified you can then plan to overcome these. You can either work on high impact stuff first or small wins. But getting to a decent level of security as quickly as can be is key.

In my experience, aligning with best practices in cybersecurity is key to protecting your business effectively. This means staying informed about industry standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks, and tailoring their recommendations to fit your organization's size and nature. It's also important to ensure regular training for your team, emphasizing the importance of security in everyday operations. Regularly reviewing and updating your security policies and practices ensures that you remain aligned with evolving threats and technological advancements. A proactive approach to cybersecurity is always more beneficial than a reactive one.

Establishing your company's baseline for your security program is the key to a successful compliance program. Make sure to pick best practice standards that meet your company's overall objectives, as well as the needs and expectations of your customers. If your team is building a security program based on industry best practices this will be secure your systems and demonstrate a culture of compliance to your end-users. This is a powerful way to build a scalable security program that establishes trust with your company's audience. Be strategic about which baselines you choose.

Work with your client on best practices. You can train or explain what you have done and also how to maintain it moving forward. Set up follow up documentation so they have access to it constantly. You can walk through compliance activity and even accreditations.

In the execution of best practices ensure separation of duties. This goes a long way to ensure long term relationships with your technology choices. Eliminates abuse of access and powers.

Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or any software is a complicated process that involves multiple stakeholders, significant investments, and a strategic approach. Adhering to best practices can significantly improve the chances of a successful ERP implementation. By following these best practices, you can increase the likelihood of a successful ERP implementation and maximize the benefits for your organization.

For a small business to hire a cybersecurity expert full-time is a lot of money so I highly recommend leveraging external firms to help with cybersecurity needs. When vetting external firms leverage your network or a technology broker who can find a firm who fits your companies size, scope and budget as there are thousands of cybersecurity firms across the country.

The decision to use external resources or consultants for software implementation depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the project, the expertise available in-house, budget constraints, and the specific requirements of your organization. Ultimately, the decision should be based on a comprehensive analysis of your organization's specific needs, resources, and strategic goals.

Leveraging external resources can significantly enhance a small business's cybersecurity posture. I advocate for exploring partnerships with specialized cybersecurity firms that offer expertise and resources which might not be internally available. Utilizing cloud services for secure data storage and backup can also be a cost-effective solution. Additionally, participating in industry forums and networks can provide valuable insights and updates on emerging threats and best practices.

Leveraging External Partners is key for any Business Size and this makes more sense for SMB Specifically because Small Businesses cannot make investment in internal resources for multiple skillsets. ' Cloud leaders like Azure, AWS also embraces Partnership and there thousands of External partners (ISV, SI, OEM) in their marketplace. This proves the point that external resources and partnerships are high catalyst for growth.

External date providers will trigger cost-benefit trade-offs. It is useful to know what critical information we do not know enough about to make a proper decision. Hence the treatment of uncertainty described in point 2 is useful to prioritize what external information is worth its cost. If it helps with making a better decision and creates more risk mitigation with better security actions, than it is useful. As for in house or external solutions (e.g., cloud server, payment processing) decisions, it is good to consider that security is their business and they will likely protect it better than a small business with a different business focus. As for consultants, always check if they enable you or make you dependent on their future work.

Adding value and differentiation in cybersecurity is crucial, especially in a competitive landscape. I advocate for focusing on a human-centric approach to cybersecurity, which not only protects your systems but also empowers your employees to be part of the security solution. By developing a unique cybersecurity culture that resonates with your company's values and brand, you create a strong differentiator. Additionally, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI for threat detection can offer advanced protection and efficiency.

Cybersecurity never stops and educating employees on things to constantly look out for monthly is extremely important as it is constantly evolving. Also, put this to the test by doing a fake fishing email campaign internally utilizing an executive to send out a clickbait email to see what employees are listening to the training. Ensuring your data backups for the small business are completely separated from the primary business data so that if your primary data is comprised you have a plan to restore. It is also good to know that Microsoft 365 Outlook data needs to be backed up as well. In really small print Microsoft recommends having a third party to back up your data too. Many companies do not know this when their email is compromised.

I think this is where #digitaltrust comes in. Thinking about the bigger picture of #cybersecurity and adjecent fields like #privacy, #trustworthy #ai and #digital business models. Only by focussing on the trustworthiness towards customers and employees, will the chosen strategies and approaches really take root and ultimately become a differentiator.

La diferenciación está en todo, debemos ser diferentes en la propuesta, en la venta, en el marketing, en el nicho de mercado, en la audiencia mínima viable, en la monetización, para ser insuperables.

As general rule, the small business has limited resources, finance and human. By offering services based on technology I can add real value to change and convert processes. The mitigation of risks and the motivation of the teams will generate more money to the company. It’s a win-win-win relationship, I win, employee win’s and employer win’s.

The expectations of the client's customer should be considered before making recommendations. Sometimes we only talk to the client, but not their customers and get their take on needs and expectations around data, privacy and security as a contribution to the plan. 2. Understanding the client's capacity for change. Consultants will often propose comprehensive solutions that can't be adopted at once or within the proposed timeframe. Reasons may include not having the resources on board to manage changes like tech configurations, integrations, etc. that lead to recommended compliance, or not having change management resources to guide the employees or customers to adoption through well-designed awareness and communications campaigns.

Start with a cyber security plan that lists all the software you are using, how you protect access, what data is collected retained and used and when destroyed. Once you know the software you are using you can launchpad your research into software that is better, cheaper, faster and more secure.

Often, consultancy recommendations are adding complex solutions to already complex situations - adding to the overwhelming feeling on client side and preventing them to change. What helps is: #Reduction - what is really necessary? #Collaboration - how to facilitate cross-silo thinking? #Communication - how to foster the dialogue and transparency on all steps of the process? #Trust - ultimately, this is the catalyst for accepting, appreciating and thriving on change. Particularly in Cyber.

A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved. When the scope is to manage technology risks and security, taking a step back to view the correlation between the process landscape and the people (or teams) performing the process - in conjunction with the technology landscape, is crucial. It is a known fact that the devil lies in the details, so leveraging (or preparing, if not available) a detailed book of work (that helps achieve the objective of the business) and stitching it to the roles who are entitled to execute them by leveraging the tech landscape that could enable such execution of work can set meaningful foundation to determine the systems access matrix and the optimal permissions required to do the job in a compliant manner.

No two companies are alike. Depending on their industry focus, IT maturity level, perception of risks, market dynamics, employee turnover numbers, company culture, remote work requirements, digital natives or older establishments will all affect execution plans and policies about technology and security risks. While nowadays going-to-cloud seems to be so obvious, hybrid models should be always discussed as part of any plan.