Is Cybersecurity Important for Small Businesses Today?
If you own a small business, you know what we are talking about. You may be thinking: “I can’t afford cyber security.” Or you are thinking: “I don’t need to worry about this because my business is small.”
Well, the truth is that no matter how small or how big your business is, it needs cybersecurity. And we are not just talking about keeping your website secure. We are also talking about protecting all your systems — from laptops and phones to servers, databases, and more.
In 2020 the Verizon report stated 30% of all breaches were in Small Businesses. Small businesses have become increased targets since Covid due to the ease with which they can be compromised and extorted for ransom. Many times, small business is a gateway to a larger business. As an example, the breach at Target happened via an HVAC contractor
We all want to keep our businesses running smoothly and with minimal hassle — and good cybersecurity makes that easier than ever before.
Why are hackers targeting small businesses?
You know that cybercriminals are targeting small businesses more than larger ones, right? But you may not know why. Why do they do this? Here is the reason:
Small businesses are more vulnerable because they store customer’s payment information, which makes them more attractive targets. They also keep other information related to current customers and past customers, making them easier targets for hackers. Some small businesses may have important intellectual property that needs protecting, making them even more vulnerable. And finally, some small businesses process their own customer’s transactions — which means they leave an opportunity for stealing data by processing their own customer’s transactions.
Common types of cyberattacks on small businesses
There are many distinct types of cyberattacks, but a few common forms tend to threaten small businesses regularly. Understanding these basic types can help you stay alert about other forms of attacks.
One type of attack is malware. This is designed with the sole purpose of causing harm to your systems. It is known as malicious software, and it comes in the form of a virus or ransomware. Malware can also be delivered in the form of an email that exploits a weakness in software.
Ransomware is another type of attack that uses manipulation to infect and restrict access to your own computer until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is mostly delivered via an email — it exploits a weakness in software and delivers malware into your system that infects your computer and restricts access until you pay up!
Finally, phishing techniques can be used to spread malicious software through emails or messages, tricking you into opening the link or attachment so malware can be released into your system.
What is the best solution to prevent cyberattacks?
Company-wide risk assessment is often the first step when developing a plan. Audits are necessary to identify vector access points and to determine weak points. Having zero-trust security requires early detection, verification, pinpoint identification of threats and the ability to respond quickly using heuristic tools that scan for anomalies on the network included on a company’s cyber assessment profile. Contact the best cybersecurity professionals for small businesses today.
