Skip to main content

Two places where you need risk management planning

Two places where you need risk management planning

If you started your small business with an inheritance, great news! Congratulations. But most likely you have a board ofdirectors; initial investors whose focus is on the long term success of the company, on strategies for future growth andprotection of their investment. Part of their concern will be threats and risks to the present business. Here are twofinal topics that you, and they should be focussing on when making strategic risk management plans.

Brand damage and reputational loss.

If your company is the victim of a cyberattack, you will need to inform any customer whose data may have beencompromised. This will definitely not endear you to your clients. If word gets out, this can damage your ability toattract and convert new prospects into customers. This issue of brand damage could likely be the most severe, long-termrisk to the success of the business.Adding to this is the competitive disadvantage it places you in. Competing firms may use an event like this to highlighttheir own improved ability to protect customer data.

It isn't just you–Supply chains issues

One last area that you will need to advise your board about is your vulnerability to your supplier’s risks. Just as youcan be attacked, so can every business and agent along the entire supply chain that feeds your business. As the pandemichas shown, supply chain issues can be serious and an internal disruption. US vehicle production has been severelyinhibited due to the unavailability of computer chips. If a major US automaker such as Ford can be hurt, what about asmall business like yours? Every business should address the plans of its suppliers to handle a cyber attack, and haveplans in place for alternative sources of inventory.

In summary, it is important that you outline to your board their areas of vulnerability. Without this information, you,and they, cannot make the strategic and tactical plans to protect the business in the case of a cyber attack.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Like it or not, you business relies on technology

Like it or not, your business relies on technology Technology isn’t just something used by Silicon valley firms and large corporations. Even the smallest start-up is now reliant on technology and the virtual marketplace. A business cannot function without operating in the digital world. At the very least, it means having a website, a social media presence and an online database of customers and prospects. Most likely it means conducting business online, which means you’re responsible for the security of client data: names, credit cards, addresses, and probably more information. Much of that information may be personal Information that you have an obligation to keep secure. That duty brings along many challenges because cyber criminals and even benign human error could mean that data is compromised. Data breaches can bring litigation, possible regulatory sanctions, and very importantly, damage to your brand and reputation. Because so much rides on the stability and security of your di...

Strategic IT planning for your business

Strategic IT planning for your business One thing that the best MSP can do is become a strategic partner. Your expertise is your industry, business, or profession. Trends and innovations in technology aren't your focus. However, your business can benefit from some long-term strategic planning in terms of the technology you will deploy to remain competitive. New technology will offer new opportunities. An MSP who has experience in your industry can become a partner. After taking the time to learn your business, your goals, and the competitive field in which you operate, an MSP can take a seat at the table of your business planning. At the highest level, this is where a skilled MSP becomes a significant asset as your business grows and faces new market challenges. Additionally, An MSP can help with other parts of your IT infrastructure to protect your data as well as facilitate more effective collaboration internally as well as with clients. Here are three examples. Backup and...

How Can an MSP Keep Your Business Safe?

How Can an MSP Keep Your Business Safe? Are you a small- or medium-sized business that is in need of a more complete, dependable IT solution to support your business than you presently have? When your main focus is running your business, everything else becomes an afterthought. Other support operations tend to take a backseat. However, your business depends upon a reliable, stable “always running” IT infrastructure and you probably find that isn't always the case. Even if you have an in-house staff, it isn't large enough to put out fires and handle strategic planning and provide 24/7 support when something goes wrong. That is why many businesses large and small rely fully or partially on the support of a Managed Service Provider (MSP). So what are the typical services available from an MSP? There are many different types of support that can be provided to clients. In this e-guide we will break them down. Managed IT Services This is the overarching set of services that ...