Technology helps small businesses thrive but also exposes you to significant security risks. As more data moves to the cloud and the number of devices accessing your systems grows, hackers will continue to be a threat. It’s vital for you to know the biggest cybersecurity issues your small business will face.
Cybersecurity Issue #1: End Users
Either accidentally or intentionally, employees are the number one way cyberattacks enter a company’s systems. Email is one common way cyber-attackers take advantage of employees — a single click within a spam email could give an attacker access to the server and valuable company data. If users don’t know what to expect or how to look for threats, they’ll help bad actors bypass your defenses.
The Solution: Make your users your first line of defense.
Cybersecurity is more than technology — it’s people. You need to arm your people to be aware of and to detect threats by training your employees and teaching them how to recognize threats like phishing attacks and ransomware before they infiltrate the company network.
Cybersecurity Issue #2: Lack of Security Plan
Small businesses sometimes underestimate their risk. They think that their business isn’t big enough, or their data isn’t sensitive enough to make them a target. Others know that they need security but don’t know where to start. The result is the same, leading to a lack of proper cybersecurity planning. In any case, hackers hope for fewer security measures – it makes their job easier.
The Solution: Make cybersecurity planning a priority.
Companies need a well-communicated and documented strategy to help plan for sophisticated cyberattacks before they make it to your data. It’s helpful to start with a vulnerability assessment, so you know your weaknesses. From there, you can use the insight to implement the right processes and tools to strengthen your protection.
Cybersecurity Issue #3: Weak Passwords
Cybercriminals easily steal passwords, so a weak password is like having no password. A compromised password not only grants access to the user’s account. It can also lead a cyber-criminal to or data on your network.
The Solution: Implement multi-factor authentication.
Along with strong passwords, you can add a second step to verify your user’s identity. This use of additional authentication information is called multi-factor authentication (MFA), and it makes it much harder to log in as you. Plus, it’s simple to set up. Most modern software (like Office 365) is compatible with and even encourages MFA.
Cybersecurity Risk #3: Ransomware
Ransomware is malware used to lock or encrypt data, making a company’s data inaccessible until they pay a ransom to unlock it. It continues to be one of the most common threats because it is so lucrative. Attackers target small businesses, assuming their data isn’t backed up properly, which makes them more likely to pay the ransom.
The Solution: Protect your endpoints and invest in a reliable backup.
Attackers can use your devices as an entryway into your network, making Endpoint Protection an essential part of all security plans. Endpoint Protection helps keep you safe by blocking threats from encrypting your data. An effective backup strategy will also help protect against data loss. With the right backup, you can quickly recover your data without having to pay any ransom.
Stay safe with the right mix of technologies and processes.
An integrated approach to cybersecurity will help keep your company’s data safe. Failing to protect your data and your customers’ data can be crippling to your business. If you’d like to review your security efforts with our team of experts, let us know! We’ll work with you, communicate threats and vulnerabilities with you clearly and often, and assess and improve your current security.