Another common--and oft-ignored--tip is to install antimalware software on all of your business's PCs and keep it up to date.

This measure isn't terribly onerous if you're dealing with a single PC, but things can get complicated and expensive if you're trying to safeguard a small-business network. Any number of paid and free single-computer security solutions are available. If you have more than a few computers, you can save money by opting for a small-business security suite package. Some of these packages are no more than a bundle of licenses for the individual suite, each of which must be installed and maintained separately. Others offer a central management console for pushing updates out to users' PCs and receiving notifications about threats found on the network. Shop around to determine the approach that works better for you.

Software safeguards aside, a can inflict massive damage on your business. That's why physical security should be a major consideration, whether you're a one-person shop or a company with a hundred employees. Every business owner knows to lock the doors and install an alarm system if there are valuable assets on the premises. But you should also take specific actions to protect your computer equipment, in addition to securing your building proper.