When you hire a new employee you’ll usually give them the keys to whatever they have to access—possibly everything from the petty cash box to the front door—and you’ll remind them about the importance of securing the building and all that’s in it. You’ll warn them about any possible threats and you’ll instruct them on what to be alert to. From time to time you’ll remind them of this.
Why then don’t you do so for online security? What do you tell them about potential online scams, how to spot them and how to not be fall for them—online banking in particular? Judging by the number of emails I receive from everyone from the banks to online retailers like amazon, online security is a big issue. Your staff should receive regular instruction and reminders about this for the sake of both your business and their own welfare.
For instance, for banking and other online activity:
- Never share passwords with anyone.
- Use unique passwords.
- Create passwords at least 12 characters long, ideally 16 characters.
- Reset password regularly.
- Use two-step verification whenever possible.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, no matter how “authentic” they may appear to be.
- Never provide confidential information such as sign-on IDs or PIN numbers.
- Immediately report lost or stolen cards
- Remember that your bank will never ask for confidential information online or by phone.
The key to online security is as important as the key to building security.