5 Reasons Why Small Business Need

Encryption

Small businesses are never too small to advance in encryption technology. For so long, people
have regarded encryption as a large enterprise affair. Big firms benefited from advanced data
security. However, security threats are growing among small firms. They have fewer resources,
unlike big firms. With that, they are unlikely to protect their crucial data.

Modern firms store and manage their confidential data in an online cloud. It makes it hard to
transact business because personal data will fall prey to malicious persons. Firms are now
integrating encryption into their cloud data security strategies to preserve their data
confidentially and safely.

What Exactly is Data Encryption?

Data encryption is the conversion of data to a code for it to be accessed secretly. A decryption
key will be necessary to access the data. Encryption is the foundation of data security. It is a
simple way of ensuring that information in a computer system is inaccessible to someone whose
intention is to use it for malicious purposes. An encryption scheme is developed using an
encryption algorithm and can withstand security threats.

Data security breaches are disastrous. The number of violations has grown over the years.
These breaches have put small businesses at risk. A rising number of small businesses have
fallen into insolvency due to security breaches. It is therefore essential that small businesses
stay encrypted.

These are some of the reasons for encryption in any small business setup.

1. The Rise Of Malware Attacks

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Malware attacks such as ransomware and crypto-malware are on the rise. Ransomware is
malware that threatens to publish data or block it in a computer system by encrypting it to
extract a ransom. Small businesses experience nightmares because of these security threats.
The ransoms come with a deadline.
On the other hand, crypto-malware is a program that encrypts data stored in a computer system
to extract money. Small businesses experience nightmares because of these security threats.
Protecting against these threats can be difficult. According to the FBI, there is a 300% increase
in cybercrime over the covid pandemic period. Many businesses have been targets of these
attacks. Firms pay ransoms of up to $233,217 globally. Encryption can help small businesses
preserve their data confidentially.

When you receive a malware link in an email and access it on your computer, the malware
sender will not access your data. With an AWS SSL Certificate, you can protect your server
against malware attacks. Persons having the key to decode will only access the data. Small
businesses, therefore, should seize the opportunity to encrypt their data.

2. Your Business Is Not Safe in The Cloud

Most businesses operate entirely on the cloud. Firms think it is a safe way to store confidential
data compared to a computer device. However, this approach is not always safe. There are still
security risks in cloud storage. The data in cloud storage is vulnerable because of reduced
visibility and control over confidential data.

Some cloud providers may not comply with regulations, enhancing data breaches by some of
their employees. There are situations where you cannot permanently delete data from the cloud,
which is a security threat too. Using Office 365 for daily business operations may not safe
either, as someone can intercept your data in the cloud. Small businesses need to encrypt their
data to be safe from security threats in cloud storage.
3. The Business Reputation is at Risk

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Business reputation is vital in every business. Small businesses ought to have an excellent
reputation to earn trust and grow their consumer base. Additionally, customers entrust
businesses with their confidential data. Firms collect personally identifiable information,
including financial information, client names, birth dates, and even their residence. Therefore, a
situation of a data breach will destroy a business's reputation.

There is a need to secure the confidentiality of the clients' information with an encryption
system. It helps to ensure the client's data in a small business is secure. Confidentiality of
information boosts profits due to referrals from other clients.

4. Password Protection is Never Enough

Passwords never protect confidential information on computer devices. Information is still at risk
even when a computer device has a strong password. With advances in technology, hackers
always design new ways to crack passwords.
An encryption solution is needed to encode confidential data on the computer device. The latest
versions of operating systems such as Microsoft Windows have a level of built-in encryption.
However, there are more advanced corporate-level options available for small businesses.
These options let them enjoy twice the security with all their essential data.

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5. Security of Data In Your Remote Office

Many small firms have remote offices, and they are not always secure. There are possibilities of
physical theft. There could be confidential information on these computers which may end up in
the wrong hands after a robbery. Remote management from the office is essential.

Encrypting data on these servers is crucial in preventing its loss. Financial and other
confidential information will be safer with encryption. Centralization of management is essential,
and so is encryption.

Conclusion

Encryption is no longer a reserve of big firms. Small businesses ought to invest in encryption to
secure their confidential data. With it, their data and programs will not be at risk of malware
attacks. Hence, small firms will build a reputable and secure business to realize significant
profits in the long run.