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    Six Security Predictions and Tips for SMBs in 2015

    Small to midsized businesses (SMBs) are vital to the U.S. economy, yet they are often the most vulnerable when it comes to cybersecurity. As a small business owner, you might assume your data will have little value to hackers, but financial accounts and employee, customer or partner information are all enticing to cyber criminals.

    The cybersecurity experts at F-Secure have compiled the following predictions and tips to help small and medium-sized business owners stay secure in 2015.

    Six Security Predictions and Tips for SMBs in 2015 - slide 1

    Keeping SMBs Secure in 2015

    Click through for security predictions and tips SMBs should consider for 2015, as identified by F-Secure.

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    Prediction #1: Insurance will keep you safe.

    As more and more hacks occur, insurance companies are paying attention. Insurance agents will likely ask companies if they want coverage for security risks. In 2015, companies will need to assess the need for this coverage and determine if it’s worth the extra cost.

    Six Security Predictions and Tips for SMBs in 2015 - slide 3

    Prediction #2: Paid training for IT.

    In 2015, more organizations will pay their IT employees to go to classes to develop their security skills. Placing a high value on IT is a key way to keep your company’s data secure. Classes and training workshops are one way to ensure that your IT department, no matter how big or small, has the most up to date knowledge related to security practices.

    Six Security Predictions and Tips for SMBs in 2015 - slide 4

    Prediction #3: Increased Internet dependence.

    In 2015, overall, people and businesses are going to become even more reliant on the Internet, increasing the likelihood of putting their privacy at risk. Additionally, employees will likely be targeted more frequently, rather than just systems. This reliance on the Internet puts employee and company data at risk even more so than in previous years.

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    Tip #1: Know your data.

    In 2015, it will be crucial to know where your data is, how to segregate it, how accessible it is to the Internet, and to back it up. One of the most dangerous security mistakes companies make is to not place value on data. Along those same lines, it’s important to not keep a document of passwords in a common space.

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    Tip #2: Understand your device.

    From a user’s standpoint, bring your own device (BYOD) is a great idea for work, but from a security standpoint, it’s a terrible idea. There’s a clear need for BYOD in business, but users are playing the bad luck lottery – odds are small, but first prize is a substantial loss of money. So how do you make BYOD security easy for the user? Teach employees how to properly use their devices. That’s much easier – and just as important – as them learning about security.

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    Tip #3: Automate security updates.

    In 2015, keep your computers free of vulnerabilities by keeping all applications updated. One quick and easy way is to pick a security service that automates the updates so you don’t have to worry about it. This not only gives you peace of mind, but it will also free up your IT staff to focus on more pressing tasks.

    F-Secure Labs blog: http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/

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