Take time to protect your cyber security.

October marked National Cyber Security Awareness Month. So why are we bringing it up in November? Because cyber security’s importance means it’s a topic that deserves your attention all year.

In our digitally-connected times, cyber security efforts are important for all businesses and individuals. Action or inaction in dealing with security measures can impact an exponential number of other entities. Similar to stopping the spread of infectious diseases, good practices by everyone can help contain cyber threats and collectively save money.

A recent study sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) reports that small businesses’ “cyber security policies and actions are not adequate enough to ensure the safety of their employees, intellectual property and customer data.”

The study also says, “Only 28 percent of U.S. small businesses have formal Internet security policies and just 35 percent provide ANY training to employees about Internet safety and security.”

The Department of Homeland Security offers some recommended tips for cyber security:

• Make sure that you have anti-virus software and firewalls installed, properly configured, and up-to-date. New threats are discovered every day. And keeping your software updated is one of the easier ways you can protect yourself from an attack. Set your computer to automatically update for you.

• Update your operating system and critical program software. Software updates offer the latest protection against malicious activities. Turn on automatic updating if that feature is available.

• Back up key files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc and store it in a safe place.

Share this downloadable PDF from www.staysafeonline.info that explains what businesses can do to operate safely.

RJ Westmore Inc. encourages property managers and owners to think about cyber security. Check back with us for frequent updates about cyber security and other safety issues. We hope these tips will help you to BE SAFE.