Depending on the particular industry and the size and scope of the business, cyber security can be very complicated and require specialized expertise. However, some simple steps can help protect your business infrastructure.

The Department of Homeland Security has a number of useful guides to preparing your business for disasters on its web site Ready.gov and suggest the following:

•  Use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.
• Activate the software's auto-update feature to ensure your cyber security is always up-to-date.
• Don't open email from unknown sources.
• Be suspicious of unexpected emails that include attachments whether they are from a known source or not.
• When in doubt, delete the file and the attachment, and then empty your computer's deleted items file.
• Use hard-to-guess passwords. Passwords should have at least 8 characters with a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers.
• Change passwords frequently.
• Do not give your password to anyone.
• Protect your computer from Internet intruders by using firewalls.
• Don't share access to your computers with strangers. Check your computer operating system to see if it allows others to access your hard-drive. Hard-drive access can open up your computer to infection.
• Back up your computer data and consider keeping one version off-site.
• Regularly download security protection updates known as patches. Patches are released by most major software companies to cover up security holes that may develop in their programs.
• Make sure your co-workers know what to do if your computer system becomes infected.
• Train employees on how to update virus protection software, how to download security patches from software vendors, and how to create a proper password.
• Designate a person to contact for more information if there is a problem.

 In addition, you may want to consider the following:

•  Set up secure e-mail for your employees. This way you can send secure e-mail messages to anyone regardless of their e-mail provider
• Regularly scan your computer for spyware - Use a legitimate anti-spyware program to scan your computer and remove any of these files. Check carefully before downloading an anti-spyware program – some are actually spyware in disguise!
• Evaluate your software's settings - It is especially important to check the settings for software that connects to the internet (browsers, email clients, etc.). Use the highest level of security that still gives you the functionality you need.
• Avoid unused software: If you have programs on your computer that you do not use, consider uninstalling them.
• Dispose of sensitive information properly - Simply deleting a file does not completely erase it. When you delete a file, all you've really done is tell the computer that it can reuse the space assigned to that file for something new. The remains intact, until the computer reassigns and overwrites those chunks of disk space with new files. To ensure that an attacker cannot access these files, make sure that you adequately erase sensitive files. Several programs are available online that can help remove all files. You can find information about them at download.com.

It is also worthwhile visiting the National Cyber Security Alliance’s web site to check for the most recent threats. Their small business section has a number of resources including small business information security tips, free evaluations and quizzes. The NCSA also offers free local Small Business Workshop that is a 4-hour training originally developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The workshop helps small businesses learn about cyber security that affects their needs and helps them integrate cyber security into existing business processes. Information about local workshops can be obtained by contacting NCSARegistration@aol.com.