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There's one thing about small businesses that will always be true. We have few resources. Expertise in a narrow arrow (for the most part). Very little time. Limited budgets. Well that was four things - and I could go on. With these limitations and while we're concentrating on growing our businesses, ensuring our business is secure is also very important.

Securing our mobile devices, network, desktop computers is so important. Ensuring our email is secure and that employees are adhering to corporate email and web access policies is critical to ensure productivity remains high and that employees are not leaving us open to legal liability.

Traditioanl small business security has been a very local procedure - with anti-virus products installed on network servers and local...

When eating at a dinner table, we don't lick other people's fingers. When introducing a guest we don't smack them in the head. But sometimes when we communicate with others via fax, email or phone we are not communicating clearly. Sometimes this lack of communication is simply an inconvenience for the receiver of our communication at other times we can do damage or lose money.

I received a fair number of phone calls and often times the caller speak so fast I can't get their name or their telephone number. They don't get a call back.

When using email "Many times we use email to replace what would have been a note, memo, or letter. In using email, make sure it looks professional. For example, what you send might be printed out and be distributed to other people....

For those of you who have a local consultant, this is your first and best line of defense against technology failure. They will help you over the phone or come to the office. They know your office IT setup and they know you and your staff. Often times these consultants outsource their phone support, so you might end up speaking to one...