Small businesses are uniquely susceptible to cyberattacks because cybercriminals target them because they have fewer resources to detect and respond to these attacks. While no small business is immune to a cybersecurity breach, there are steps every small business can take to help mitigate the risks posed by these threats.

Most organizations require employees to access their email and other business-critical applications remotely through mobile devices and desktop computers. Ensuring that these devices are configured securely and up-to-date helps protect your company from costly data security breaches. Implementing strong password policies, enforcing the use of two-factor authentication, and performing regular backups are all effective measures you can implement to help protect your data and help keep your business secure.

Here are some of the best practices you can follow to help keep your endpoints secure and protect your small business:

1. Set a Strong Password Policy – One of the most common ways that hackers gain access to a system is through a weak or easily guessed password. By setting a strong password policy that requires users to use complex passwords and frequently update their accounts, you can protect your business from unauthorized access to important data and systems.
2. Enforce Two-Factor Authentication – Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring users to not only provide login credentials but also to enter a single-use code generated by an app
3. Update Your Systems Frequently – Keeping your systems up-to-date helps guard against the latest malware threats and security vulnerabilities, which could save you thousands of dollars in damages if a hacker successfully.
4. Perform Regular Backups – Performing regular backups of your most critical data and files allows you to recover quickly in the event of an outage or an attack and allows you to quickly and easily restore.
5. Use Secure Browsing Habits – Hackers often gain access to sensitive data by tricking users into clicking on a malicious link in an email or other communication.

Small businesses should carefully evaluate the security needs of their business before implementing any security solutions. Consider the types of data you store and how you plan to use that data when making your purchasing decisions to ensure that you purchase a solution that can meet all of your needs.

In a recent survey on the future of work conducted by Dimension Data, almost 60% of respondents reported being confident that the jobs they hold today will be obsolete by 2030, and a similar number agreed that they will be responsible for educating themselves on new skills in order to stay current with changing employment. As more companies shift away from traditional “command and control” management models and adopt more flexible forms of management, it is important for IT teams to consider the impact these changes will have on their processes, tools, and workflows.

With the rapid pace of innovation happening in the IT space, it is becoming increasingly important for IT departments to evolve with the changing needs of their organizations. By adopting a modern approach to IT management, companies can harness the power of new technologies to build dynamic work environments that will attract the next generation of workers and help their organization succeed in the years ahead.

In 2017, IBM surveyed 1,500 IT leaders and discovered that while many organizations are pursuing digital transformation initiatives to help drive new revenue and growth, only 5% of those leaders are satisfied with their current level of transformation. One of the main challenges that prevents many enterprises from successfully implementing a digital transformation strategy is a lack of organizational alignment.

In October 2019, EY released its EY Tech Horizon 2020 report

that outlines the top six trends impacting businesses around the world in the next five years and recommends steps that business leaders can take to stay competitive in this rapidly evolving marketplace.

The research found that companies that pursue digitization efforts will ultimately be able to adapt more easily to change and position themselves as a leader in their respective industries.

The EY report also predicts that in 2020, 58% of customer interactions will be digitally based, up from 43% in 2019. This digital revolution is also affecting the way that people work and manage their day-to-day activities. More than half of the respondents in the report said that they would prefer to work from home rather than going into an office to complete their daily tasks.

Ultimately, continually transforming your enterprise IT programs to focus on User Experience (UX) and embracing new technology to empower your workforce will be critical factor in 2022 and beyond.

1. IT operations (https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/IT-operations#:~:text=IT%20operations%20are%20responsible%20for,mobile%20contracting%20and%20help%20desks.)
2. How can technology at speed create competitive advantage? (https://www.ey.com/en_gl/consulting/how-can-technology-at-speed-create-competitive-advantage)
3. Top 10 Business Challenges to Watch in 2021-2022 and How to Overcome Them (https://opengeekslab.com/blog/top-business-challenges/)