When it comes to running a successful small business, a number of small business owners are well aware of the impact of technology and the internet. Having an easy-to-use and efficient website is imperative in many cases, as it can bring business in quite easily. However, there is also a downside to these advancements in technology, and many small business owners may need to educate themselves on how to protect their company.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has teamed with the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology and the FBI's InfraGard to offer free computer security workshops in order to boost the security strength among small businesses across the country.
The workshops will inform small business owners on everything they need to know about computer protection including how to use a series of protective tools as well as identify any vulnerabilities within a system. This is important for small business owners as protecting data such as business invoices, payroll records, client and employee information and other proprietary data is essential. If leaked, this data can be detrimental to a small business as it can ruin their reputation as well as be very costly to recover from.
The workshops will be starting in Oklahoma then going to Colorado, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Minnesota and Texas. Small businesses in these states may want to look up where these workshops are taking place so they can learn what they need to about computer security.
Various software companies are also targeting small businesses to ensure their company-related information is secure. For example, Intel has recently launched its new Small Business Advantage (SBA) program, which gives IT administrators and users a single location to manage security and general system configurations.
The Intel SBA should help with certain small business challenges. Some of the features include the PC Health Center, which runs system updates and maintenance tasks even if the computer is signed off, and the Energy Saver, which conserves power and saves money for the company. In addition, the software includes a hardware-based monitoring that offers added protection and an Intel Wireless Display, which can allow for easy-to-use streaming capabilities, such as presentations, throughout the office.