Whether it’s a cyberattack, natural disaster or even another global pandemic, small business owners need to be prepared and take proactive steps before the next emergency disrupts their operations.
All Business recently published a how-to guide for mitigating risk that can help a small business persevere through what it says are the three biggest threats to a company’s survival.
No. 1: Another Global Pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic caused 100,000 small U.S. businesses to close permanently because owners were unable to pivot to a new business model, support a remote workforce, or access capital needed to pay utilities, rent, and payroll. Businesses need to learn from this experience by setting aside a portion of income in an emergency fund that can cushion them through the future economic upheaval that another pandemic could bring. Businesses also need to invest in collaboration and productivity tools that allow owners and their teams to work efficiently from home.
No. 2: Natural Disasters. Hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and floods can destroy a business location in seconds, yet more than 20% of small and medium businesses do not have an existing data backup or disaster recovery solution. Business can be better prepared for a natural disaster by offloading critical information to the cloud to prevent the loss of data if a workplace is destroyed. Owners should have a disaster recovery plan with safety protocols, emergency contact information and remote work instructions to be followed if a work site is uninhabitable or transportation to the site is disrupted.
No. 3 Cyberattacks. A 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, which tend to have less stringent cybersecurity. Small businesses are often a goldmine for hackers because they tend to store payment information on customers and serve as a gateway to larger organizations. Businesses can safeguard against cyberattacks by making sure employees know what to look for and how to respond in an emergency. Small businesses should consider outsourcing cybersecurity if necessary to protect their assets.
To read more of All Business’s tips for protecting your business, go here.
