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Today, computing is no longer a simple support tool: it is the the core of a company's operation.
From billing to pay, from exchanges with clients to tax obligations, Everything goes through computerised systems. This offers great opportunities, but also exposes to new risks: Outages, fraud, cyber attacks, data loss.
A businessman does not need to be a technical specialist, but he must understand the principles ensuring the reliability and security of its information system. The IT manager, for his part, must accompany him to identify weaknesses and propose avenues for improvement.
Here are the 10 main areas of IT security, explained simply.
1. Digital transformation: a necessary transition
Digital transformation Integration of digital tools into all business activities : customer relationship, production, communication, internal management.
It profoundly alters ways of working and doing business.
- Why is it important? Because competitors with digital skills gain in efficiency, visibility and proximity to their customers.
- Risk To ignore these changes is to risk losing market share.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do : have a clear vision of the role of digital in its strategy and ensure that its teams are trained and ready to use it.
2. Governance of information systems: who drives what?
Behind the computer or software hide from Human Responsibilities.
Each field must have a pilot:
- An application manager (software used).
- A Data Officer (customers, invoices, accounting...).
Why is it important?
- If the roles are not clear, errors or fraud go unnoticed.
- Risk : inconsistent data (duplicative clients, billing errors) or unsupervised areas.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do - ask for simple mapping of its information system, who is responsible for what, and ensure that everything is documented.
3. Access control: who has the right to do what?
Each employee must have access adapted to its function.
An accountant must not be able to validate a payment and realize it himself, otherwise he could divert money without control.
- Why is it important? Access control limits the risk of fraud and protects the confidentiality of data.
- Risk : an employee who leaves the company but whose access is not disabled can still connect and cause damage.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do Ensure that access rights are regularly updated (in and out of staff) and passwords are protected.
4. Managing IT Projects: Managing Change Well
Change accounting software, go cloud, install a new ERP... these are some heavy projects.
They require time, budget and good coordination.
- Why is it important? A poorly managed project can be very expensive and can significantly disrupt the activity.
- Risk loss of data during migration, delay in billing, incomprehension of teams.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do : always require a Steering Committee involving financial management and checking that tests are carried out before commissioning.
5. Use of data audit tools: see figures clearly
Modern auditing uses software that allows scanning thousands of accounting entries in seconds to detect anomalies: duplicates, inconsistencies, suspicious entries.
- Why is it important? This enhances the quality of the control and reassures the reliability of the accounts.
- Risk Without these tools, some errors or fraud go unnoticed.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do accept that the auditor uses these tools and use their results to improve its own internal controls.
6. Protection of personal data: respect law and trust
Customer or employee data (names, addresses, emails, bank details) are Personal data protected by law (GDPR in Europe).
- Why is it important? Because a data leak undermines the company's reputation and can result in heavy financial penalties.
- Risk - be sentenced to pay fines, lose customer confidence.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do : appoint a data protection officer, implement simple procedures (privacy policy, encryption of sensitive data).
7. Tax compliance: information technology for the law
The tax administration in France now requires that accounting be provided in form dematerialized (Accounting Scripture File, electronic invoices, DSN).
- Why is it important? The Act imposes specific formats, and non-compliance may result in a rejection of accounting.
- Risk : adjustments, penalties, rejection of the CEE.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do : ensure that its software is meeting tax standards and that the produced files are tested before any control.
8. Operating the information system: ensuring daily life
A computer system must run every day, without interruption. This implies Good operation : backups, updates, monitoring.
- Why is it important? Because a computer failure can paralyze the entire company.
- Risk loss of customer data, shutdown of online sales, blocking of billings.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do - request proof of regular backups and ensure that they are tested.
9. The Business Continuity Plan (BCP): Predicting the Crisis
What happens if your server breaks down, a cyber attack blocks your access, or a fire destroys your premises?
The PCA provides backup solutions to restart quickly.
- Why is it important? It is a survival insurance for the company.
- Risk Without PCA, a serious crisis can mean permanent cessation of activity.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do Check that a PCA exists, that it is documented and tested at least once a year.
10. Cybersecurity: a permanent fight
Computer attacks (ransomware, phishing, spying) affect all companies, big or small.
A simple click on a fraudulent email can cost thousands of euros.
- Why is it important? Because IT security has become a condition of trust with clients and partners.
- Risk loss of data, ransoms, damage to reputation.
👉 What an entrepreneur must do : invest in a cybersecurity policy (antivirus, firewall, two-factor authentication) and especially train its teams to react.
Conclusion
Computer security is not a matter of isolated technicians: it is a strategic issue for management.
An entrepreneur does not need to understand the technical details, but needs to ask the right questions and require guarantees on:
- The reliability data,
- The Security access,
- The conformity legal and fiscal,
- The resilience Crisis.
For the IT manager, this is an opportunity to bring concrete added value and become a true trusted partner in the conduct of digital change.
Council
« To effectively protect your account, you must use a robust password. Thus, 14 character password, with numbers, upper and lower case letters, as well as special characters, can withstand all attacks by gross force. »
Source: Digital France
