Hacking rates are higher than ever. Among the many things that company owners are responsible for, the safety of their business is of high priority. Unfortunately, things like hacking, data leaks, and theft, happen to businesses. These things are preventable, however. Company owners can take the following precautions to ensure the safety of their business. Here are 4 ways to keep your company safe.1. AwarenessAs a business owner, it is important that you are at the front lines of your business operations. If you have a team member who does this for you, be sure that they are well trained to do so. Either way, you must be aware of what is going on inside and outside of your business at all times. It is not practical for one individual to be physically watching a business operate 24/7, so there are resources to assist with this. A great way to keep track of business operations is investing in a security system. Security systems can look a lot of different ways, ranging from cameras in offices, to tracking systems in company vehicles. It is easy to find a software or service of this nature, and all it takes is a quick google search for something like “ best fleet tracking software for companies.”2. Communication It is imperative that you maintain a strong communication style with your team. The best technique for business safety is education and unity among team members. Be sure to organize regular meetings and provide your employees with resources to help them identify unsafe situations. One of the major digital privacy threats is phishing. This interaction often takes place through email and manipulates individuals into releasing personal and sensitive information under the guise that they are emailing a reputable company. A very efficient way to keep your company safe is through preventative action. Keep your team members educated and ready to recognize suspicious activity so that it can be shut down immediately.3. UpdatesKeeping your software up to date is an easy way to maintain the safety of your company. This practice also works with vehicles and equipment that are used within your business. An outdated vehicle may leave an employee stranded or in an unsafe situation; the same goes for software updates. Many software companies and partners are constantly adding higher levels of security to their systems; therefore, a simple update can keep your software in top shape.

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4. PrivacyEncourage your employees to keep their company login information private. Passwords used throughout your company should be unique and kept in a private, secure location. It is important to not reuse passwords so that if a hacker accessed one account, they would not be able to easily access other accounts. Another privacy tool is multi-factor authentication. This method requires the person logging in to use a secondary method of verification, alongside the password. This often requires a phone call, text or email to officially login. In a physical workplace setting, be sure to only share entry-codes and keys with trusted team members and monitor the flow of persons through your facility. It is easier to maintain privacy when there is a limited number of people with access to your office/warehouse.There are a lot of things that business owners need to manage simultaneously. Safety is a very important factor in business operations and should be taken seriously. Luckily, using the methods above, you can effortlessly and efficiently prevent privacy-breaches and theft within your company. Invest in safe and reputable software, and only share access with trusted team members. Be aware of where your equipment goes, and who has access to your facility. Use only unique passwords for company sites and logins. A hacker attack can be scary and leave team members feeling uneasy. Preventative action is a very effective way to prevent these incidents from affecting your company. Keep your team members educated and prepared to handle these unsafe situations. If you follow these general practices, you have the best chance of preventing hacking and theft within your business.