Cyber Security Risk Assessment Checklist for Small Business

Small businesses are often the target of cybercriminals, since they may not have the same budget as big corporations to protect themselves from attack. That doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your small business secure, though; there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself from hackers and other internet threats, and those things start with a cyber security risk assessment checklist. Using these nine steps, you’ll be able to perform a comprehensive risk assessment for your small business in no time at all.

9 Steps to Perform a Cyber Security Risk Assessment Checklist for Your Small Business

1. What type of data are you collecting?

Before you can create a cyber security risk assessment checklist, you need to understand what type of data your small business is collecting. This includes understanding the types of devices your employees are using to access company data, where this data is being stored, and how it’s being transmitted. By understanding the types of data you’re collecting, you can better protect it from cyber threats.

2. What are the risks with your data?

There are many risks associated with data, especially when it comes to small businesses. Hackers could target your business in order to gain access to sensitive customer information, which could lead to identity theft or fraud. Additionally, your business could be subject to a ransomware attack, which could result in the loss of important data or money. To protect your business, it is important to perform a cyber security risk assessment on a regular basis.

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3. Who has access to your data?

The first step in protecting your small business from a cyber attack is understanding who has access to your data. This includes employees, contractors, and third-party vendors. You need to know what data they have access to and how they are accessing it. Are they using strong passwords? Do they have two-factor authentication enabled? By this far, now you know how many risks are associated with data, especially when it comes to small businesses. But, is no need to worry, a cyber security risk assessment checklist can help you identify and assess those risks so that you can take steps to protect your data.

4. How sensitive is your data?

If you’re like most small businesses, you probably store at least some sensitive data on your computer systems. This could include customer credit card information, employee Social Security numbers, and other data that could be used to commit fraud or identity theft. As a result, it’s important to take steps to protect this data from cyber criminals.

5. Where is your data stored?

Your data is stored in many places: on your computer’s hard drive, on removable media such as USB drives and CDs, in the cloud, and on other people’s computers. To keep it secure, you need to know where it is and how it’s being used.

6. Can you have monitoring tools in place?

Yes, you can have monitoring tools in place that will give you some visibility into what’s happening on your network. But, no matter how good your tools are, they can’t be everywhere and see everything. That’s why it’s important to also have a plan for what you’ll do if something bad happens.

7. What about remote access?

In order to properly assess the cyber security risk assessment checklist for your small business, you need to consider all of the ways attackers could gain access to your systems. This includes looking at how you allow remote access, both for employees and any third-party vendors who need it. For example, are you using tools like OneDrive or Google Drive? Consider disabling them while they’re not in use and make sure that passwords are strong.

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8. What about mobile devices?

First, take inventory of all the devices that connect to your network, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Next, assess which devices are most vulnerable to attack. This includes older devices that may not have the latest security updates as well as any device that is not password-protected. Once you know which devices are most at risk, you can take steps to protect them. This may include installing security software or updating the operating system.

9. Are there any 3rd party tools you could use (SaaS)?

Yes, there are many third-party tools available that can help you with your cyber security risk assessment. However, it’s important to remember that no tool is perfect and you should always consult with an expert before making any decisions.

Summing up Cyber Security Risk Assessment Checklist

Cyber security should be taken seriously by all businesses, no matter their size. By following these nine steps, you can create a cyber security risk assessment checklist tailored specifically for your small business. This will help you identify vulnerabilities and take steps to protect your data and customers. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start protecting your business today.