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The importance of information security for businesses

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economic-forecast-headerWhether it’s selling or marketing products online, maintaining company records, or simply sending emails to colleagues—the business world has long since gone digital, making cyberspace an indispensable sphere of operations for any professional or aspiring entrepreneur in the information age. This has also introduced a major challenge all too many businesses are unprepared to meet—ensuring information security.

The stakes of a security breach can hardly be overstated—if not fatal, they can do irreparable damage to your business’s reputation. And, unfortunately, new and ever more sophisticated—and ever more devastating—security threats are constantly emerging. Even business giants like Target, Adobe, Michaels, and more have not been immune, and many will still be reeling from the effects for a long time to come.

Note that every business is vulnerable, as smaller companies are known to be used as stepping stones to pursue higher-profile targets.

How do you ensure your business stays protected? One of the most important pillars of any successful information security infrastructure is, of course, antivirus software. (As a business owner, you will, however, probably want to opt for full-security suite, which offers additional features like supplemental firewalls and anti-phishing.) Choosing the right software for your business can be as intimidating as it is essential. Staying informed and on top of the situation can feel like a hopeless endeavor—especially when you are trying to juggle the many responsibilities of your business. Like far too many others, you might be tempted to throw up your hands when faced with the prospect of sorting through all the different companies, services, and promises glutting the market. And with so much on the line, it’s completely natural to worry about making the right choice, and to want to put your trust in one of the bigger names in the industry—BitDefender, McAfee, and Norton some titans that come to mind, and they might indeed turn out to be the perfect fit for you. However, as all entrepreneurs are well aware, while name recognition is generally a good omen, digging a little deeper can have big payoffs for any purchase—both in terms of savings and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you made the best possible choice for you and your company.

But how do you start “digging deeper”? Or, if you’ve already begun researching, but could use a second (or third) opinion, where should you turn? Fortunately, you don’t have to go at it alone—there are plenty of accessible top-notch sources for the newbie and knowledgeable bargain hunter alike. There are, for instance, multiple organizations dedicated to testing and ranking antivirus software, and whose input can definitely help you make an informed and confident decision. In addition, comparison sites can—and should—prove to be one of your closest allies through your search and in making your ultimate choice. In addition to introducing you to names you might have otherwise missed, comparison tools are, of course, invaluable when you are trying to judge the merits of one package or company against another. Some comparison sites can even help you land significant discounts on your software of choice. Top 10 Antivirus Software, for instance, features an updated list of dozens of top names in the industry, complete with reviews and detailed comparison charts to help the buyer beware and become a satisfied customer.

In short, settling on an antivirus software should be a thoughtful decision—information security, is after all, one of the most crucial investments you can make in the future of your business. However, with the help of a bit of research you can ensure your decision will be an empowering and not an agonizing one.

Contributors

Contributors

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