Home Office Small Business Security Checklist

Just a quick security checklist for all small business offices and office computers…

• A hardware firewall (router) protecting all business computers – can be upgraded to a SMB security device for larger offices
• Encrypted Wi-Fi Network
• Employee Training
  • Don’t download or install software
  • Limit use of USB drives
  • Don’t divulge passwords

The following should be on all business computers…

• Secure Profile Login
• Security Suite
  • Should cover all types of malware and optionally include secure web browsing (software checks for known malware sites)
  • Subscription valid and virus database updated daily
  • Full computer scan at least weekly

• Updated Software
  • A good tool for this is Secunia (http://secunia.com/)

• Data Backup System

The following should also be on all business laptops and smartphones although they can also be on office computers if susceptible to theft…

• File Encryption – like TrueCrypt (http://www.truecrypt.org/)

• Password Software protecting all passwords with a master password – like LastPass (http://lastpass.com) or RoboForm (http://www.roboform.com/)

• Optional: LoJack (http://www.absolute.com/en/lojackforlaptops/) or other tracking software
• Optional: BIOS password

This is just a minimum. There are other options like disabling USB ports on employee computers, restricting employees to Limited User accounts, restricting Internet access, requiring re-login to Windows after a screensaver kicks in, etc.

How does your business stack up?