Keys to Recovery When Small Businesses Experience a Major Data Loss
Lost data typically means lost income, especially if you’re a small business owner. However, all too often, companies are down for the count when a major data loss hits — but it doesn’t have to be that way. How do you get things back on track when a computer-related calamity occurs? Here are some tips from the Data Advocate that just might help you prevent a future disaster.
Beware of Vulnerabilities
Small businesses rely on their data to function, in some ways even more so than larger companies. When it comes to communicating with your customers, gauging how to grow, or simply keeping your books, your data is your foundation for where you came from, functioning in the here and now, and how you will pave your future. Unfortunately, it’s common for small businesses to lose that precious data. An employee accidentally hits “delete” instead of “save,” a power surge damages your system, or you experience a hard drive failure.
On top of innocent losses, some statistics indicate small businesses are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with nearly half of all data losses stemming from attacks. What’s most disconcerting, the same data indicates 60 percent of small businesses shut their doors within six months of being attacked. Bearing that in mind, it’s crucial to restore your company’s data as quickly as possible, and take action to avoid future occurrences.
Getting Help Fast!
For your company’s quickest resolution and best chance at survival following a major loss of data, time is of the essence. One of the best ways to get back on track smoothly and efficiently is to hire a data recovery specialist service. AZ Big Media explains how these services can potentially track down the source of your trouble, pull your data back together, and help you devise a plan to avoid a recurrence of loss.
Malware can mean losing most or all of your data, and fraud can come from places you least expect it, internally or externally. All too often, disgruntled or desperate employees, even close to the top, might set you up for failure. The sooner you identify and stop a problem, the sooner you can put your business on the road to recovery, so look for specialists who provide 24/7 service if your data is especially important to your business’ functionality.
An Ounce of Prevention
No matter how your data loss occurred, ensure it doesn’t happen again by taking practical measures of prevention when you can move forward, beginning with your staff. For example, too often people select a simple password and use it for all their accounts, making your company more vulnerable to attack.
Along those same lines, sensitive information can be left lying on desks for extended periods of time or might be physically visible to the public. Train your employees to handle data properly, and enact a company-wide password policy. Complex passwords are a must but can be a bit overwhelming to create. You can use an online password generator tool to help. ZenBusiness also suggests things like installing antivirus and antimalware programs, as well as regularly backing up your data.
Cut Threats and Overhead
Rather than maintaining data entirely onsite, choose cloud-based services for data storage going forward. Not only does saving your information in the cloud protect you from cybercriminals, but it also protects you from data loss due to a fire, burglary, or an electrical event.
On top of all that, you can reduce your overhead significantly. You don’t need to pay IT services for routine updates and upgrades, time spent on filing is reduced, in-house space is freed, and productivity climbs. You can even reduce the amount of electricity your company consumes. It’s also an opportunity for your business to become more mobile. You can interact with employees, associates, and customers from anywhere, anytime, opening up another world of possibilities.
When it comes to lost data, getting back on track as quickly as possible is a key to small business survival. It’s also crucial to avoid the same thing happening in the future. Evaluate where your company stands, and make sensible changes accordingly. That way, your small business can not only recover from data losses, but avoid them in the future.
Written by Data Advocate for www.RealtyTimes.com Copyright © 2022 Realty Times All Rights Reserved. The Data Advocate is a team of professionals positioned to assess and articulate the futuristic vision of data and the advancement of technology and the possible impacts on our professional and personal lives and safety. To learn how we can help you, contact us today!
