Most people have the security of anonymity and digital irrelevance as a major protection from hackers. Many small businesses think the same way. Unfortunately, this way of thinking is just flat out wrong. By one estimate, 44 percent of small businesses experienced at least one cyber attack in the last 12 months. Recent cyber attacks have proven just how damaging these can be to small businesses; most don’t reopen. Several estimates state that about 60 percent of small businesses that experience a cyberattack never recover.
So how do small business keep from hitting the proverbial business boneyard? Let’s walk through the basics.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
It’s one thing to say that one wants to protect their business. It’s another to actually do it. Most businesses out there aren’t naturally equipped to handle building and implementing cybersecurity measures. So, to get the most of the effort, consider professional help. These professionals will help set up the major points of cybersecurity such as software installation, IT structure and protocols as well as best practices.
Recent Cyber Attacks Have Largely Been Spearphishing
For most cyberattacks it’s the same old story: don’t click on random links in emails. Spearphishing attacks are messages that attempt to appear legitimate and include a bad link, unfortunately they are extremely common for small businesses. Often they come through emails that look like invoices or other information that either offers or solicits payment.
Don’t Put All Your Data Eggs in One Basket
Once your computer system is compromised, there are two major malevolent things hackers are known to do: hold your data hostage, demanding a ransom be paid in order to release your information, or compromise any secure data you’ve collected. So, backing up your data to storage sources that are not on your system is extremely helpful. In the event of massive data loss, you’ll only be put behind as far as your last data backup. In theory, this is simple, but the best practices and most convenient way to do this with your businesses ought to be discussed with an expert.
Update Your Software and Equipment
Many software and equipment providers offer updates as part of their support service. But that doesn’t mean people actually use it. In fact, most people don’t update when they are supposed to. This is a problem for many reasons. Software development today is open-ended as its users and the developers discover new problems and new solutions. This is especially true for software hackers, always updating their practices. Equipment can have its shortfalls too. Often, equipment is peripheral to your larger system. But older equipment has been worked over by hackers more and their weaknesses are better known.
At the End of the Day…
Your cybersecurity will only be as good as it’s position on your business’ to-do list. Don’t put off ensuring that your employees and customers are protected from malicious forces. Reach out today to get the process of adding greater cybersecurity to your operations started so you are not the next to experience the devastation of a cyber attack.
