Innovative Solutions For Small Business Security

Did you know that around 46% of security breaches affect businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees?

Your security strategy protects more than your assets—it helps you maintain GDPR compliance and protect your reputation with clients and stakeholders.

What are the most cost-effective, convenient, and innovative solutions for small business security? Let’s explore the top choices.

Mobile-First Access Control

Access control is an essential installation for any office space. It prevents intruders from entering the premises and accessing resources without authorization. But, managing your security system and employee security onboarding can be challenging when you have limited resources. 

This is where mobile-first access control comes in. It provides convenient cloud-based management, allowing you to use an online portal to manage your employees’ access credentials and permissions.

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With an on-premise access control system, you must plan complex wiring infrastructure to connect your access control devices to a main server. And, security information will only be accessible at the site location - which isn’t ideal for companies using hybrid or remote working options.

Here are some of the advantages of using a cloud-based access control solution for your small business:

• Remote management: You can manage your security system from anywhere, adjusting access permissions as needed. You can also view security logs easily using a mobile application or browser.
• Wireless connectivity: There’s no need to establish complex wiring infrastructure in your offices, and there’s no need for a server room. Instead, you can simply install your access readers, connect them to the internet, and manage them using a cloud-based server.

In addition to these benefits, choosing a cloud-based access control system also allows you to implement mobile access credentials. Instead of using keycards and fobs, employees can download digital access keycards to their mobile devices to enter the building. When they enter the building, all they need to do is wave their hand over the access reader. This will trigger BlueTooth communication with their mobile devices to detect their credentials and unlock the door. 

Here’s why this technology is especially beneficial in a small business:

• Self-serve onboarding: New hires can simply download their access credentials to onboard themselves onto the system. There’s no need to wait for a keycard or fob to be created.
• Cost savings: Keycard and fob replacement can incur significant costs over time, and small businesses need to focus their resources on business growth. Making the switch to mobile credentials completely eliminates this cost.
• Hygiene: With a touchless entry method, employees are less vulnerable to germs spreading, which reduces the likelihood of illness outbreaks in your building, meaning fewer sick days.

With such significant benefits, it’s easy to see why this innovative solution is essential for small businesses.

Outsourced Cybersecurity Management

Small businesses may not have the resources to create a security or IT department, which leaves them particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. 

Instead of foregoing industry expertise when it comes to cybersecurity, small businesses can benefit from outsourced cybersecurity management. The premise of cybersecurity management is essentially cybersecurity as a service. 

Small businesses enlist the help of a cybersecurity company to manage their firewalls, encryption, and tech stack, ensuring they are completely secure from a cyber standpoint. 

Companies do not need to add employees to their payroll when outsourcing this service. They can pay for the cybersecurity consultancy they require and nothing more. 

You may wonder how an outsourced service can gather enough intelligence on a company’s resources and platforms to form an expert cybersecurity strategy. However, outsourced companies typically visit the site location and work with team members to understand every facet of the business, accurately gauging their security needs.

With this service, small businesses save money on payroll while reducing the losses and reputational damage of a cybersecurity breach.

Cloud-Based AI Security Cameras

Cloud-based and AI cameras are storming the security industry. This innovative technology allows security teams to do more without wasting time or resources. 

One of the biggest flaws in any security strategy is a lack of visibility. Even with security cameras, security teams are simply not able to consistently monitor video feeds, spotting potential threats before they evolve into security incidents.

Cloud-based dome cameras allow system administrators to view camera footage and adjust the view from anywhere using their mobile devices. But, more importantly, they provide open API integrations, enabling the integration of AI.

AI technology enhances security cameras by initiating automated threat detection. The integration uses behaviour and object recognition to spot potential security threats, providing system administrators with a security alert on their mobile devices.

From there, administrators can review the footage, investigate the issue, and alert the authorities if necessary. 

Having this kind of agility in a security strategy significantly lowers risk. And, for small businesses, it does not take up any valuable employee time. They can maintain awareness of security threats with absolutely no human intervention.

Zero-Trust Security Infrastructure

Many small businesses operate using a remote or hybrid working pattern to reduce overhead costs associated with renting office space. However, allowing employees to access company resources on their home computers leaves small businesses vulnerable to data leaks and breaches.

One of the best ways to combat this issue is with a zero-trust security infrastructure. In this infrastructure, employees gain unique access permissions based on their role within the company. They will only be able to access the resources they need to carry out their role - and nothing more.

This means that should their network or device be compromised, only a limited amount of data will be breached. Sensitive digital assets and information will only be accessible to trusted high-level employees, and the consequences of a data breach are contained.

Summary

The innovative solutions we have discussed are the foundation for helping small businesses do more for their security strategies with fewer resources. Implementing cloud-based and smart security solutions often provides more security accuracy and efficiency than on-premise alternatives. Consider whether cloud-based security solutions might be the right step for your small business as you move forward.

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