Norton is targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs with a new product dubbed Norton Small Business that the brand says helps owners “protect their financial futures.”
(Note: Gen Digital, a cybersecurity software and services provider based in Tempe, Arizona, and Prague, Czech Republic, owns Norton among a host of other security brands.)
To make its case for the product, Norton has drawn on a number of research studies to conclude that while a large, fertile market exists for small business cybersecurity, owners often lack the necessary tools to guard against cyber attackers.
"Owning a very small business often means each member of the team wears different hats, and usually cybersecurity expert isn't one of them," said Massimo Rapparini, Gen general manager & head of small business safety. "Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this and often target such businesses – more than half (57%) of small businesses experienced a security, data breach or both in 20223. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, falling for just one phishing email can have a devastating impact."
What Norton Small Business Offers
Norton’s small business product contains these features:
- Secure browser, password manager and VPN (virtual private network) to help secure day-to-day online activities
- Automated PC cleaning and optimization to keep healthier PCs for longer
- Secure cloud backup for PCs to help reduce the risk of loss of business data
- Software and driver updaters to help keep software up to date, so there are fewer vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to exploit
- IT coverage and maintenance for up to 20 devices
- A 100% virus protection promise
"We've built our small business products and services with the same approach in mind as we do with our consumer portfolio, so entrepreneurs don't need to worry about becoming cybersecurity experts," Rapparini said.
Protecting Your Business: Norton's Recommendations
Norton recommends these tips to protect small businesses:
- Learn to spot signs of phishing and teach your employees.
- Only click links or download attachments from known sources.
- Avoid sharing personal information or private company data over email.
- Always keep your operating system, applications and drivers up-to-date.
- Make sure your WiFi network is protected with a strong password.
- Regularly back up your data.
- Require employees to use a VPN when doing company work on a public WiFi network (think airports and coffee shops).
- Always use multi-factor-authentication for an extra layer of protection.
- Don't neglect mobile devices; make sure they are password protected and use security software.
