Broadband and information technology are powerful tools for small businesses to reach new markets and increase sales and productivity. However, cyber security threats are real and businesses should use the best tools to protect themselves, their customers and their data.

Here are 10 key tips for small businesses:

1. Establish basic security practices and policies for employees, such as requiring strong passwords. Establish rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data.

2. Protect information, computers and networks from cyber-attacks by using the latest security software, web browser and operating system.

3. Provide firewall security which prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network.

4. Require mobile users to password protect their devices, encrypt their data and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on public networks.

5. Regularly back up the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files and accounts receivable/payable files. Store the copies either offsite or in the cloud.

6. Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft or can be lost, so lock them up when unattended.

7. Make sure your Wi-Fi network is secure, encrypted and hidden. To hide it, set up your wireless access point or router so it does not broadcast the network name. Password protects access to the router.

8. Work with banks or processors to ensure the most trusted and validated tools and anti-fraud services are being used. Isolate payment systems from other, less secure programs, and don't use the same computer to process payments and surf the Internet.

9. Limit employee access to data they need for their job, and limit authority to install software.

10. Require employees to use unique passwords, and change passwords every three months.

The cyber-attacks carried out by Syria last week were much more broad than initially reported, and they amounted to a warning shot of the retaliation the U.S. could expect if it should attack. Subsequent attacks would most likely go after U.S. infrastructure, and given how fragile it is and the likelihood Iran or North Korea would help out, the result could be massive. As I write this, the U.S. has deployed a battle group to Syria in preparation for a missile strike against the government there, and Russia has deployed what appears to be a counter force. What most seem not to be factoring in is that Syria has already fired its warning shot with attacks on Twitter and The New York Times, at least. I say "at least," because reporting of attacks isn't comprehensive, and other attempts may have failed, so Syria's first strike may have been far larger than initially reported. The U.S. has a tendency to overreact, and it is clear there's insufficient preparation for the infrastructure collapse that could occur when Syria responds to a missile attack -- and Russia exists as a wild card that could cause the conflict to spread rapidly out of control. It's been common knowledge for some time that the U.S. infrastructure is vulnerable to outside attack and that governments like Syria and China have been probing it and probably know exactly where and how to do the most damage. There's a very real likelihood that this time the U.S. won't go unscathed, and it may be prudent to have a plan in place should things go very, very wrong. Details: https://www.smore.com/g263-hass-and-associates-syria More Info: http://justinblake.postach.io/post/hass-and-associates-missile-attack-on-syria http://justinblake.booklikes.com/post/148815/hass-and-associates-missile-attack-on-syria