Small businesses are especially vulnerable to malicious cyber activity including malware attacks and exploiting IT vulnerabilities, according to the 2015 Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon. The report estimates that the average loss for a breach of 1,000 records costs between $52,000 and $87,000.

Aside from the potential loss of your business revenue, you also risk the loss of your reputation if your customers' data is breached. From cyber attacks to employee fraud, businesses are constantly at risk of data breaches. Protect yourself and keep your business and customers safe with these tips.

Monitor your security

Stay current with data breaches and cyber threats. Get information on what types of malware to look for and new techniques for cyber protection. Remember to upgrade your smartphone, laptop and all other devices to the latest software updates. Many upgrades are available because of newly discovered vulnerabilities and can help protect your devices.

Sign up for an identity theft protection service like LifeLock that can help detect issues, as well as fix them before they spiral out of control. LifeLock offers a $1 million guarantee to hire experts and lawyers. You'll get alerts when your information is compromised and dedicated assistance to protect and fix the problem. The faster you can protect your own identity and resolve malicious activity, the sooner you can focus on ensuring your customers' data is also protected.

Choose the right POS

The point-of-sale (POS) system you choose matters. Simply running a client's credit card with a device attached to your phone can create a data breach without the right system in place. ShopKeep is a cloud-based, EMV-compliant payment solutions provider that's reliable.

EMV compliancy is the standard of all major brands like MasterCard, American Express and Visa among others. Today's credit cards have a chip and PIN to ensure a greater protection against fraud and data breaches. As of October 2015, companies that aren't EMV compliant can be held liable for their data breaches.

Use a secure networkIs your business' network secure? Even solopreneurs are exposed to risk when keeping their clients' files and information on multiple devices and paper contracts. Instead, move everything to a trusted cloud provider and backup your systems to an encrypted service like Carbonite.Create a security culture

Making a commitment to security and respect for customers' data starts with your company culture. Make security standards part of your culture from upper management all the way down to entry-level employees. Make security part of your weekly meetings, regularly require password changes and develop procedures for handling customer data.

While not all employee fraud is intentional, it can still wreak havoc on your business. Create checks and balances to ensure no single employee has complete oversight of customer records and data. Carefully review transactions and transfers and meet regularly with employees who handle sensitive client data.

Steven Phillips
ClearVoice