When most people think of businesses getting attacked by hackers, they see it as a problem that only large enterprises need to worry about. Recent attacks over the years on Sony and Target have added to that stigma, and because of this, medium and small businesses have ignored cyber security tips that could prevent an unexpected attack.
The fact of the matter is, small businesses have become the target of an alarmingly higher rate of cyber attacks over the years. It is no longer just a threat to large corporations, and small business owners now more than ever need to take extra precautions to protect their websites against cyber security breaches.
Reasons for Concern
In 2015, Symantec Corporation released its statistics on cyber attacks for the year. The results showed that 43% of cyber attacks for 2015 were committed against small businesses. This is a startling 238% increase since 2011, where small businesses only accounted for 18% of all reported hacking cases. If you still don’t think that your small business is at risk, then you may not be paying attention.
Because small businesses do not have the capital of large or even medium-sized businesses, it is absolutely crucial that they do not get hacked. A severe cyber attack could destroy even the strongest small business, so following these cyber security tips could be all your business needs to stay safe.
Small Businesses Are Easy Targets
You may be wondering why hackers would spend their time breaking into small business websites when the potential for profit is much better if they were to attack a large corporation. They are sought after because small businesses are easy targets:
They Don’t Have The Proper Resources
The chances of a small business having its own complete IT department are slim to none. If they do, it is most likely an external IT company that pays for services. Because of this, the business would have no way of identifying the origin of the security breach, nor would they have the know-how to remedy the problem. They will remain exposed until they hire an IT department to come in and fix everything.
They Don’t Think They Need Protection
A lot of small businesses are not ready for a cyber attack because they don’t think it will ever happen to them – and this is exactly the mindset hackers look for when targeting their victims. Larger corporations usually come with a well-developed security infrastructure, which means hackers need to jump through a lot of hoops to reach the sensitive information they’re looking for. There’s no point in breaking into the mansion with gates and guard dogs when the smaller house next door leaves the door unlocked, so hackers are going to be looking to strike gold with smaller businesses without a proper security system already in place.
Cyber Security Tips That Will Protect your Business
The first step is to accept the reality that your small business can and will be hacked without the proper precautions. Yes, IT services can be expensive, but if you are able to find a security and maintenance package that fits your business’s needs then you’ll be much better off in the long run.
Your next step should be investing in an outside source for your IT needs. Letting a professional IT company take control of your security and maintenance could be the best decision you make as a small business owner. Having the proper cyber security measures in place could make or break your small business, so this is something to leave to professionals who will be able to ensure that the job is done right the first time before hackers have a chance to wreak havoc on your website.
Another safeguard against cyber-attacks is insurance. Taking out a cyber insurance policy will give you some peace of mind knowing that if an attack does happen, you’re covered.
Lastly, one of the most important cyber security tips is to educate yourself and your employees on cyber attacks and how to prevent them. Get a consultation from an IT company or take part in cyber security webinars that can give you important information for the safety of your business. Make sure your employees are using smart, strong passwords for anything in relation to the business. Also, limit access to important administrative files and pages. The fewer people who have access to your most important files, the better.
Be Proactive, Be Secure
The risk of a small business falling victim to a cyber attack is going up every year. Don’t let your business be another statistic. Creative Click Media offers outstanding security and maintenance packages that will help keep your business safe and running smoothly. Contact us today to find the cyber security and maintenance package that’s right for your business.
