As a restaurant operator, you’ve got a lot on your plate (pun intended). From keeping customers happy to managing staff and inventory, cybersecurity might feel like the last thing you want to think about. But in today’s digital world, it’s becoming increasingly important to protect your business from cyber threats.
You may have heard the term “risk assessment” thrown around, but what does it actually mean for your restaurant? Let’s break it down in simple terms and explore why it matters.
What is a cybersecurity risk assessment?
At its core, a cybersecurity risk assessment is like a health check-up for your restaurant’s digital systems. It’s a process of identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats and their potential impact on your business. Think of it as taking stock of where you might be exposed to cyber risks and figuring out how to protect yourself.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “I’m not a tech expert, how am I supposed to do this?” Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a computer whiz to get started. The key is to approach it step-by-step and focus on what matters most for your restaurant.
Types of Cyber-Related Risk Assessments for Restaurants
Here are some specific types of risk assessments you might want to consider:
- Network Security Assessment: This looks at how secure your restaurant’s Wi-Fi and internet connections are. Remember, offering free Wi-Fi is great for customers, but it can also be a potential entry point for hackers.
- Data Privacy Assessment: This focuses on how you collect, store, and protect customer information. With regulations like GDPR and CCPA, it’s crucial to ensure you’re handling data properly.
- Third-Party Vendor Assessment: If you work with delivery apps or other external services, it’s important to assess the security risks they might introduce to your business.
- Employee Training Assessment: Your staff can be your strongest defense or your weakest link. This assessment looks at how well-prepared your team is to handle cyber threats.
- IT Risk Assessment: Your information technology department (or managed service provider) should be aligned with your strategic business direction, operating efficiently and providing quality services to the company team that depends on them. This assessment looks at the risks of the IT program itself.
Why bother with risk assessments?
You might be wondering, “Is this really necessary for my restaurant?” Yes, and here’s why:
- Protect your reputation: A data breach can seriously damage customer trust. By identifying and addressing risks, you can protect your hard-earned reputation.
- Save money in the long run: While investing in cybersecurity might seem costly upfront, it’s far less expensive than dealing with the aftermath of a cyber-attack.
- Comply with regulations: Depending on your location and the type of data you handle, you may be legally required to perform regular risk assessments.
- Improve overall operations: The process of assessing risks often reveals inefficiencies in your systems, helping you streamline operations.
- Stay ahead of threats: The cybersecurity landscape is always evolving. Regular assessments assist industry-leading companies in staying ahead of new threats.
Getting Started
This might sound overwhelming but remember you don’t have to do it all at once. The key is to start somewhere.
Even a basic assessment is better than none at all. Begin by listing your digital assets—your POS system, your website, and your customer database. Don’t forget to include those important third-party vendors. Then, think about what could go wrong with each of these and identify how to reduce the chance that it will happen.
At a basic level, without all the jargon, bits and bytes, and complexity, that’s the first step in your risk management journey.
At some point, you may decide you need help. GBQ provides our clients with cyber risk assessment services. That may sound overwhelming, too. But it can start simply with a focused discovery conversation on your restaurant operation and the list of digital assets you are most concerned about.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your leadership team to discuss your business direction, how technology enables (or interferes) with it, and which digital assets are most important to your success. Please reach out to Doug Davidson or your GBQ advisor.
