Does My Small Business Need to Use Encryption?

Have you been bewildered by cybersecurity standards that tell you to encrypt this and encrypt that?  Encryption can sound like it’s just for some government agency or a larger company that works with highly sensitive information.

Wikipedia defines IT relation encryption as a scheme that usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. It is possible to decrypt the message without possessing the key but, for a well-designed encryption scheme, considerable computational resources and skills are required. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients but not to unauthorized users.

Question: Why do I need encryption for my small business?

Answer: When data isn’t encrypted, it can be read in “plain text” form by anyone. Sending an unencrypted email that contains a login password (which LOTS of people do!) is just asking for a hacker to breach your account.

Solution: Encrypting your data doesn’t have to be complex or even hard, using tools that do the process automatically for you.

What are the tools used for encryption?

• Email encryption features that let you encrypt sensitive messages
• A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for the websites that utilize forms  (for contact, e-commerce, and other data-sensitive activities). SSL is a standard technology that keeps Internet connections secure. SSL certificate assures your visitors that data being transmitted to and from the website is secure and encrypted.  Sites that have a trusted SSL certificate will display a lock symbol next to their URL, and have https:// format, not http://.
• Hard drive disk encryption
• A VPN (Virtual Private Network) that encrypts online connections.

If you are routinely sending sensitive data, it is an open invitation to be hacked.

Please contact powersolution if you would like to discuss possible encryption methods for your small business — or, if you have any other IT security questions or concerns.  Please call (201) 493-1414 x321.  Or, please click on the following link: https://powersolution.com/it-consultation-request/