Data breaches are no longer a thing of science fiction movies. They happen all around you. Breaches are a costly nightmare that can affect your business from every angle, avenue, and outlet. The security you use doesn’t just protect you from the latest malware—it’s an insurance policy that protects your staff, your clients, and the way you do business.
Even if your company has gone years without a breach, don’t let that false sense of security put you at risk. All it means is that your current security investments have paid off and you’ve thwarted irreparable business heartache so far.
Below are three aspects of your business your security measures are keeping alive and well. Use them as incentive to either continue your proper security methods or spur you into investing your time and money into an efficient cybersecurity plan.
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Your Wallet
Your security budget may be large, but it’s nothing compared to the mountain of expenses that come with a breach: data loss, angry customers, upset partners, wary employees, and a soiled reputation. So continue to invest in that protection software, actively change company policies, and consistently update your devices because they’re saving your wallet from a world of misery and extending your company’s lifespan.
Good cybersecurity also protects your data from being held hostage by ransomware, which could also cost you an arm and a leg to recover. Plus, you’d be paying a ransom to criminals, which wouldn’t feel good at all.
So keep your security plan active and updated as often as possible.
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Your Clients
How will your clients feel about you and your business if they feel their data isn’t completely secure? The last thing clients want or need is to have their financial or personal information stolen, kidnapped, or damaged. Lax security measures would mean long-term issues for them and would ultimately create permanent distrust of your business.
Rest assured knowing that effective security measures equate to happy clients and quite possibly, new referrals.
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Your Reputation
When it comes to your reputation, you are what you breach. And if you’ve been known for breaching a little here and breaching a little there, then chances are your potential clients aren’t as ‘potential’ as you think they are. As soon as your partners or clients sense security concerns with your business, they’ll start sniffing around for newer, safer outlets.
And once your reputation has been damaged, it’s incredibly difficult to recover, especially with the online rating community. It’s common to quickly Google a business and judge them based on their Google ratings, so make sure a data breach doesn’t create negative ripples. By keeping on top of your cybersecurity measures, you’ll maintain control of your bottom line, the satisfaction of your customers, and your reputation.
