Trust Talk Magazine Spring/Summer 2020 (Austin) | Page 26

Update passwords Keeping important passwords accessible for your employees will keep your business running smoothly. While you may be tempted to create a password that people can easily remember, your number one priority should be security. Hackers have been getting more sophisticated over time, so the stronger the password the better. Here are some do’s and don’ts when creating your password. Do: Make your passwords long. The shorter the password, the more likely it is that hackers can get into your account. Add variety in your password with numbers, symbols and mixed capitalization. The less conventional, the better. Make your password as nonsensical as possible. You can even use a random password generator. Don’t: Reuse passwords between platforms. Compose your password with easily discoverable information or characters that are sequential. Substitute look-alike characters for numbers and letters. Replacing your “o” with zeros or “a” with “@” is no longer sufficient. Digitize your paperwork Even if your office is filled with filing cabinets of records or paperwork, going paperless is in the best interest of your business. Not only does digitizing your files make them accessible no matter your location, it also keeps them safe. Digital files can be backed up and stored in multiple locations, whereas a paper file can only be in one place at a time unless you make a copy, which also runs the risk of being lost. Digitizing files also helps you keep track of the files that you do need to keep physically. 24 SPRING / SUMMER 2019 An example of some business documents you need a hard copy of include, but are not limited to: • • • • • Tax and financial records Legal documents Accounting documents Employee and client contracts Production or manufacturing records For any paperwork that requires you to keep the original, make sure they’re stored somewhere weatherproof and fireproof. Investing in a small safe is worth considering. For any papers that you realize you can toss out, make sure you shred them! Invest in the Cloud A cloud refers to an internet-based storage system that is accessible to connected devices anytime, anywhere. While you may think that the cloud is best suited for large enterprises, businesses of all sizes have embraced the cloud because of the convenience and ease of utilizing one. A cloud allows you to edit hosted files, so you know the most recent version of a document is backed up and protected from any local theft, natural disaster or malfunction. Interested but worried about the expense? The great part about the cloud is that it’s scalable. As your business grows, you can increase your usage over time, ensuring that you’re only paying for the access that you need. • • • Digitizing your business will optimize it for the future and aid you on your journey to success. Making these decisions may seem like a monumental undertaking, but the process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Take things one step at a time and remember that once complete, these changes will help, not hinder!