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Small Business Owners Worry Over Increase In Business Espoinage

Concerns about security are on the rise as business espionage cases surge. The mere fact that companies are willing to take extreme measures to protect their intellectual property is troubling. This is particularly true when companies are being targeted by hackers bent on stealing proprietary information. However, there’s an even bigger issue at play here: how much should you worry about the threat to your company?

Businesses and their systems are becoming more secure every day. New software and techniques are developed that make securing data easier and simpler than ever. Still, many companies fail to see the potential threat that unsecured data poses to their very existence. This is a problem because even the slightest sniff of danger can cause chaos in the business.

One of the biggest concerns that companies have is employee theft. With the proliferation of social media, it’s not surprising that companies are concerned about their employees gaining access to the company’s networks. Employees who spend a lot of time online (or chatting online) are in all likelihood already susceptible to identity theft. It’s easy to see why concern about this is so high.

Another big concern is the threat to the marketplace. If consumers can’t trust the products you’re selling, they won’t buy them or at least not enough to make a difference. This is a very big concern, especially in the wake of the recent outbreaks of viruses and other malware. It’s easy to understand why major retailers like Target, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart have taken such aggressive steps toward security and safety.

Concerns about the government can also affect your business in unexpected ways. For example, consider the aftermath of the Edward Snowden affair. Every business is worried about being branded with the same reputation as NSA, though there’s still plenty of potential for trouble. Concerns about national security can extend to all areas of your operations.

There are some concerns that are valid. You need to ensure your company has a dedicated team addressing them. As you work through your strategy, though, you can identify which worries are excessive and which are legitimate. In general, though, it’s a good idea to take a deep breath and let the concerns roll off your back. It’ll be over before you know it.

One of the best things you can do for your business is to be pro-active. Don’t sit on the sidelines and wait for something to happen. Instead, get actively involved in managing risks. Get training for employees so they can identify potential risks and how to manage them. Invest in protective equipment for your business. All of these are things you can do today to make an impact.

There’s no doubt that managing risk and security are an ongoing concern for many businesses. It doesn’t matter whether you own a small business or a giant corporation. No matter what type of business you operate, though, you should never ignore a potential problem. The sooner you deal with it, the more you can protect your business and your personal assets.

Publiss Business News