The assumption that you’re not a target results in inadequate security measures in a large number of SMBs that lack the expertise of the field, and enough money to put in the proper security layers in the right place. Many small businesses don’t pay attention to security, and hackers are aware of that. According to Verizon the number of small businesses that have been affected has increased steadily over the past few years. 46% of cyber attacks in 2021 affected companies with less than 1000 employees.
Cyber Security doesn’t have to be Complex
Security for any business doesn’t have to be difficult or cause you to blow your budget out of the water. Here are six easy steps to help small businesses protect their systems, employees and information.
1. Install Anti-Virus Software Everywhere, Every Gadget
Every company should have anti-virus software installed on their laptops and computers however, what about the rest of your devices? Unfortunately, the servers of these systems are not considered as important enough. It’s crucial for SMBs to take into consideration all points of entry to their network and ensure that they ensure that anti-virus software is installed on each server, and on the personal devices of employees.
Hackers can discover weak entry points for malware to be installed and anti-virus software will certainly assist in keeping them out, however, it’s essential to realize there isn’t a magic bullet. Through constant monitoring, carried out through MSPs like us, and vulnerability testing, you can spot vulnerabilities and weaknesses prior to hackers noticing them, since it’s much easier to stop a burglar right at the front door rather than after they’re inside your home. We can run vulnerability checks on your network to determine the presence of weaknesses that allow criminals in, so that we can repair the holes before they can get through the front door.
2. Limit Your Assault Attack Focuses
Your attack surface is comprised of all systems and services that are exposed via the Internet. The bigger the attack area and the more access points you have more chance of being hacked. This means that your email service as well as content management systems such as WordPress or other services that share similar access points could be susceptible to brute-forcing and credential-stuffing. Additionally, new security vulnerabilities are found almost every day within these software systems. By blocking access to sensitive systems and interfaces that do not need to be available to the general public and ensuring that 2FA is activated when they need to it is possible to limit your vulnerability and drastically minimize risks.
One of the most basic steps to protecting yourself from attack by using a safe virtual private network (VPN). With VPN, you can protect your system from attack. VPN will help you keep your systems from being exposed via the web while ensuring that they are accessible for employees who work remotely. When it comes to risks prevention is always better than cure. Don’t expose any information to the internet unless absolutely essential!
3. Backup Your Information
Ransomware is on the rise. According to research by Insurance Business, inn 2022 73% of businesses were hit by a particular type of ransomware. This is a staggering figure and growing each year. Ransomware locks all data it has access to and renders it inaccessible and isn’t reversible without a key to unlock the data.
Data loss is the biggest danger to any company, whether due to malicious intent or technical issue like a disk failure, therefore backup of data is strongly recommended. If you have backed up all your files, you will be able to protect yourself from attackers by recovering your data without having paying the ransom since systems that have been that are affected by ransomware may be restored or erased from a backup that is not affected without the key of the attacker.
4. Stay up with the Software
The latest vulnerabilities are being discovered every day across all types of software including web browsers and enterprise applications. A single flaw that is not addressed can lead to a complete breach of a system, as well as an attack on customer information. Patch management is an integral part of good practices There are tools and services that can assist you in checking your software for insufficient security patches. Making these checks scheduled and part of your routine can help to ensure that your software is updated.
5. Keep Your Staff Digital Mindful and Prepared
Cyberattackers frequently rely on human errors Therefore, it is essential that staff members are taught the signs to look for in order that they can spot risks and react effectively. Research has revealed that the most commonly encountered types of security breaches have involved employees who receive fraudulent emails or phishing attacks then people posing as the business via emails, viruses, malware and spyware, as well as ransomware.
Increased awareness of having passwords that are complex and educating staff on how to recognize typical attacks, such as phishing emails and harmful links and ensure that your staff are more of a benefit than a security risk. We employ phish testing as well as training for our staff as well as our clients. We “phish” our team and our clients’ every week. When someone clicks an email or provides the credentials they have, it will open the video for training to show them what they should’ve observed and the reasons the reasons why they shouldn’t open the email.
6. Safeguard Your Business Comparative with Your Risk
Security measures for cyber security should always be adapted to the specific needs of the company. For example, a smaller company that manages banking transactions or access to sensitive data like health data must employ more rigorous security procedures and practices than a florist shop.
This doesn’t mean that florists don’t have a responsibility to safeguard information of customers however, it’s much more likely not to become an easy victim. Hackers are driven by money, and the more lucrative the prize, is, the greater time and energy they will be spent to gain. By identifying your security risks and weaknesses with the help of your IT provider and an MSP like us You can take the appropriate actions to limit and prioritize which risks have to be addressed in what order. We can assist you in determining which layers are appropriate for your requirements, your team and budget.
