The Web Security Basics For Your Business

The Web Security Basics For Your Business

by JonSolomon

If you run a business on the web (or if you make regular use of it) then it’s important to make sure that you do everything you can to try and keep your data secure.  There are many ways to go about doing so, but these are some of the basics to help you get going, brought to you in association with UK Asset Protection.

Regularly change passwords, and alter the account names from the default.  It’s quite common when you sign up for a service that you’re provided with passwords up-front.  It’s extremely important to change these immediately to ensure that only people within positions of trust can access it.  Ensure that any account or usernames you’re presented with are altered also.

Continually update your operating systems.  Whilst updating these can be a bit of a pain in the backside (especially as it always seems to happen when you’re working to a deadline), it’s important that you update your computer whenever it requests that an update is made.  Security patches usually make up a big part of these updates, and hackers will often target computers that haven’t kept up-to-date with these installations.  It’s also important that you allow any specifically installed security programs to update whenever they ask to ensure that they also are kept in perfect running order.

Always use encryption software if you’re making transactions.  If you’re running any kind of website that makes transactions, then it’s your responsibility to ensure that you’ve taken all of the necessary steps to keep customer data secure.  (In some cases – such as with Mastercard and VISA USA) the card providers themselves will request you provide proof of having done so.  Encryption software is the ideal way to make sure this is the case – it will also protect your own internal information.

Limit access on a ‘need-to-see’ basis.  This is both a sensible and common approach amongst larger businesses, and can also be very effective amongst smaller businesses seeking to minimise the risk of there being a data breach.  Initially, it can be enough to simply not introduce a shared network, and to keep the important data on the computer of those who need it.  However, once your company has reached a decent size and requires a central network, then it’s important to make sure that you password protect any files of significant importance.

Four Customer Focused Ways to Beat Big Business

Four Customer Focused Ways to Beat Big Business

By LeeRoy

You’ll often hear business advisers tell small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) not to bother tackling their larger competitors. The big boys and girls have so much reach, so much advertising power, and so much capital that fighting them is like going after a Sherman tank with a pea shooter.

I’m here to tell you they’re wrong. Small business can stand in direct competition with big ones and come out on top. They’re more flexible, they’re hungrier, and they’re more likely to achieve consumer goodwill. Have a look at these four simple suggestions for cracking open the target market of your dreams.

Play to your audience

Consumers don’t like big business for the same reasons you don’t like big business. There’s a reason “faceless corporations” got that name. A large company has no soul, no personality. Find yours, and sell it with everything you have.

Your personality is the thing that sets you apart from the supermarket, or the global brand. Give your customers the one to one service they can’t get anywhere else. Respond individually to emails. Make it easy to talk to a real person on the phone, or in your store. In a world where even the simplest phone call to a bank means navigating dozens of automated menus, the personal touch is a selling point that really works.

Price yourself into the market

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that small business = higher prices. You don’t have the overheads your corporate competitors do. Cut your prices to beat them and you’ll get more sales. This is the number one rule of supply. Price matters. If a consumer can find your product, or a comparable one, somewhere else for less, that’s the one he or she will buy. Offer a price promise. Refund the difference between your own products and those your consumers find cheaper elsewhere.

Become community minded

What’s the point of being a small business if you don’t make your presence felt in the neighbourhood? When small is your selling point, it’s important to get out and about, to get noticed, and to make friends with the consumers you are courting. Sponsor local events. Develop a brand culture that emphasises the accessibility and local nature of your products and services.

Be reliable

One of the key things that consumers identify as being wrong with big business is their reliability. How many times have you heard a friend complain about a product guarantee that didn’t do what it promised, or an item that failed as soon as it came out of warranty? Just by making and keeping simple promises, you can outline a real difference between your business and the larger competitor. Deliveries are an excellent example. Keep yours reliable by insuring them (Coversure Midlands Ltd has an appropriate product) and you’ll retain positive consumer expectations.

Why Migrating Files to Google Drive is a Smart Move

Why Migrating Files to Google Drive is a Smart Move

by Linkgard

Companies that have moved to Google Apps have found that much of the phases of their production is done by working in a virtual workplace and makes collaboration between employees easy. Google Apps helps companies keep their business operations in one location giving employees an easy and secure way to share and use the files.

Once the move to Google Apps is complete, it is time for the file server migration to Google Drive. You can do this manually, uploading the files separately to each employee. Setting the permissions for each employee on an individual basis is time consuming not to mention can be error prone.

An easier way to move the immense amount of data is by taking advantage of the different services that will enable businesses to migrate file server to Google Docs while retaining the permissions their employees have on the files. This will let a business replicate their file server on Google Drive with little human effort.

With Google Drive migration, files can be moved from a SAN to Google drive where the files can be shared based on permission set by the IT department. Google Drive lets the administrator control the data from their current account.

With this type of migration, the service will determine who owns each file and will move that file to the owner. With this even distribution, everyone stays within the limits of the storage allowance. By having all files and documents on Google drive teams can work on projects in real time and having that ability to share one file among employees from anywhere in the world as long as they have access to the internet.

By having all files and documents on Google drive teams can work on projects in real time and having that ability to share one file among employees from anywhere in the world as long as they have access to the internet.

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