Data security best practices for SMBs

The Top 5 Security Best Practices for Small Merchants, a white paper published by payment security and compliance solutions provider ControlScan, is available free to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and the acquirers who serve them. The purpose of the paper is to help SMBs become less likely targets for data thieves. The document provides detailed information on best practices that can be implemented easily and cost-effectively, the company said.

"Small merchants represent the path of least resistance to data thieves," said Steve Robb, ControlScan Vice President of Products and Services. "The Top 5 Security Best Practices white paper arms these merchants with a stronger awareness, as well as proven, easy-to-implement tactics for protecting their business."

Recommended tactics include:

• Understand sensitive data, where it is and who is responsible for its protection.
• Avoid storing sensitive data; if required to do so, secure it.
• Protect perimeters with firewalls.
• Fortify interiors with people, procedures and technology.
• Get to know service providers and their level of PCI compliance.

In addition, the paper cites several recent studies that reinforce the importance of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance and security. According to the paper, even the smallest data breach can have a business-ending result for the average merchant.

"This is a very serious issue, and we approached it with that mindset," Robb said. "Our significant experience working with Level 4 merchants and their acquiring banks helped us make this white paper a solid representation of the top five data security best practices small merchants can put in place to significantly reduce their risk of a breach."

For a complimentary copy of the white paper, visit www.controlscan.com/whitepapers/top_5_security_best_practices.php .

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