How do I assess my network security risk?

Three questions every small business owner should ask

January 20, 2022

When I’m assessing the security requirements of a new client, I ask some key questions that all business owners should consider.

First, who is your customer and what do you want to protect on their behalf?

Perhaps you’re a medical business with personal records that must be kept secure under the HIPAA law. Maybe you’re a law firm looking to keep sensitive documents from prying eyes. Or maybe you’re an innovator with intellectual property, game-changing ideas and unique assets that you’d like to protect. The services I provide will depend on the type of security you need.

Second, what is your liability if you’re compromised?

If hackers are able to steal information or cause damage to your servers, what would happen to your business? Would you still be able to operate? Or would you have to shut down for a couple of days? How much money would you stand to lose if you had to suddenly replace your computers? What would be the cost of losing important information?

A security breach has a real-world effect on the bottom line of your business. It’s important to think through the potential consequences and do what you can to avoid them.

Third, how would your customers react if they discovered you’d been compromised?

Would you lose customers in the wake of a security breach? Would they lose confidence in your ability to manage their assets and look for a different company? How would a security breach affect the perception of your company to current and potential clients?

These questions can be overwhelming for small business owners. I get it. And that’s where I want to help. I can help you think through what you need to protect and come up with a plan to secure your online presence.

Give me a call. And then breathe easy, knowing you’ve done the hard work to protect your business against online threats.

Chris Torres is the founder and president of CT Technical Services. He operates from Coral Springs and serves small businesses and nonprofit clients throughout South Florida.