Does Your Company Need A Cybersecurity Consultant?
Navigating the complex landscape of modern IT can be difficult, especially for small companies that are not necessarily versed in technological terminology. If you are not familiar with the many potential technological vulnerabilities that exist in the wild, then cybersecurity can seem like a bit of a buzzword. Unfortunately, the need for proper computer system security is all too real. While many companies do not require full-time cybersecurity staff members, consultation with a security expert is often a good idea. Luckily, determining if this is a good idea for your company is not difficult.
Are Computers a Core Part of Your Business Operations?
This is perhaps the most straightforward question that you can answer. If computers make up a core part of your business' operations, then you absolutely need a cybersecurity consultant. Depending on the type of business you run, you may even need a full-time IT staff. A good consultant will not only evaluate your current security needs and help you to harden your business against potential threats, they will also discuss your long-term needs and the best ways to meet them. One of the key roles of many consultants is to help businesses acquire and train their own staff, so working with one can often be the first step to spinning up your own IT department.
Are Your Staff Computer Experts?
If your staff regularly make use of computers in their day-to-day tasks, then hiring a consultant to perform an audit is a great way to make sure that inexperienced staff members are not inadvertently creating pathways for potential threats. This is especially important if your staff use computers every day, but are not themselves computer experts. Everything from poor password hygiene to unintentional downloads can leave your business open to potential cyber threats. A cybersecurity consultant can help you to identify these problem areas and create a plan to properly train your staff to avoid them in the future.
Do You Maintain Sensitive Data?
If your company maintains sensitive data on customers or clients, then proper security procedures are absolutely vital. Sensitive data can include anything from personally identifiable information, such as addresses or telephone numbers, to billing data and medical data. Poor security procedures potentially leave your company open to liability issues should a breach occur, and more importantly, leave your customers or clients vulnerable to identify theft. One of the key roles of most security consultants is to develop proper plans to secure sensitive data and prevent personally identifiable information from being leaked in the event of a breach.
While not all companies have cybersecurity needs, most do. If you believe that you may have potential vulnerabilities lurking in your computer systems, then it is important to schedule a consultation with a cybersecurity expert as soon as possible. Doing so not only has the potential to save your company money in the future, but to protect your customers as well.