They know what they’re up against.
There’s a big difference between bracing for a Category 5 hurricane and finding the nearest COVID-19 vaccination site. Both are concerns, but one is unquestionably more urgent. And while natural disasters are rarely preventable, some of their effects may be mitigated by simple steps: installing impact resistant windows; mapping evacuation routes in advance; and backing up computer files to store off-site or on the cloud.

They can create contingency plans.
What will you do if a hurricane blows the roof off your workplace? Or if COVID rears its ugly head again? How will you communicate with customers? With suppliers? Can your employees work from home? And if so, how will they home-school their children and care for elderly family members at the same time? Questions like these need to be addressed before the answers are needed.

They will protect their people.
Wise business owners stand ready to vacate their businesses at a moment’s notice because they are prepared. Everything they need to know in the moment – directions to shelters, hospitals and other emergency services; post-emergency phone numbers; and up-to-date emergency contacts and essential medical information for all employees – has been put in writing and stowed in a safe place.

Put this in writing and stow safely:

• Directions to shelters, hospitals and other emergency services
• Post-emergency phone numbers
• Up-to-date emergency contacts and essential medical info for all your employees

5 Ways to Boost Your Firm’s Cybersecurity

1. Be proactive. Equip all computers with antivirus software/anti-spyware and update often. Provide firewall security for your internet connection; secure, encrypt and hide your Wi-Fi networks.

2. Train employees in security principles. Establish written policies for handling and protecting sensitive data, using mobile devices and reporting lost or stolen equipment; hold employees accountable if they violate these policies.

3. Limit employee access to data and information and authority to install software. Create a separate user account for each employee and restrict administrative privileges to trusted IT staff and key personnel only. Use multifactor authentication (password + additional information) to gain entry; change passwords often.

4. Make backups and duplicates of critical data automatically if possible, including: word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases and financial files. Store copies off-site or on the cloud.

5. Control physical access. Create individual accounts for each employee and require strong passwords; change passwords every three months; lock computers when unattended.

On-site Recovery Assistance

In times of disaster, the Florida SBDC Network deploys its Disaster Mobile Assistance Centers into communities with the greatest need so that affected business owners can receive on-site assistance quickly and close at hand. Staffed by FSBDC consultants, these facilities serve to answer questions, create short-term recovery plans and assist with the completion of loan applications.

General Liability Protects a business against financial loss resulting from bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, lawsuits and settlement bonds or judgments.

Product Liability Protects against financial loss resulting from a defective product that causes injury or bodily harm.
Professional Liability Protects against financial loss resulting from malpractice, errors and negligence.

Commercial Property Protects against loss and damage of company property due to fire, smoke, wind and hailstorms, civil disobedience, vandalism and other such events.

Home-Based Business Insurance A rider added to your homeowners insurance that offers some protection for business equipment and liability coverage for third-party injuries.

Business Owners Policy Combines all of the typical coverage options in a single package at a reduced price; generally available only to businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

General Liability Flood Property insurance does not cover damage from floodwaters, whether from rivers, lakes or oceans; however, business owners may insure their building and contents for up to $500,000 each through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Windstorm Available through Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-created insurance provider, or private insurers; type of construction, size, location and proximity to water determine cost and availability.

Business Interruption Pays ongoing expenses such as rent, utilities and, in some cases, payroll when a business must close due to an insured property loss — i.e., in the aftermath of a hurricane.

Directors and Officers Liability Protects the company and individual executives should employees, shareholders, government agencies and/or others sue directors and officers over financial losses due to alleged company mismanagement.

Key Employee Protects a business following the death of an individual considered vital to the firm’s success. Similar to a life insurance policy, except the death benefit is paid to the company rather than to the individual’s family.

Workers' Compensation Florida law requires employers with four or more full- or part-time employees to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Sole proprietors and partners are not considered employees; corporate officers are, unless exempt.

Intangible Assets Your company’s reputation, name recognition, know-how and/or creative ideas have no physical existence, but they have commercial value and should be protected by one of the following:

Patents A patent is a property right granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to an inventor to exclude others from making, using or selling the invention without permission for a specified period of time. Visit www.uspto.gov for information.

Trademarks Words, symbols, names, internet domain names, packaging and labeling that distinguish one company’s products from another may be registered as trademarks through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or, for more limited state protection, through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.

Copyrights An author’s exclusive right to use his or her original writing, musical compositions, artistic designs and other works of expression is automatic when a work is created and lasts 70 years after death. Official registration is optional in most cases; for protection, simply add the word “copyright” or © symbol, first year of publication and name of copyright owner(s) at the top of the page.