Cybersecurity is a major concern for small businesses, especially as hackers’ techniques have become more sophisticated. Cyberattacks are evolving at a faster rate than companies can keep up with, and because of resource constraints, IT infrastructure is not always built to adjust to new threats.
We know cyberattacks happen when businesses don’t take the precautions to protect their data, and too many small businesses are still not taking the precautions to protect themselves.
Many times, small business people have difficulty articulating their concerns beyond “being hacked”. In the end, it comes down to “inadequate security measures” is the number one concern for small business.
All that to say…
The top 5 cybersecurity concerns for small business are:
- Protecting employee and customer data
- Hacking and malware attacks
- Data breaches
- Incorrectly configuring devices
- Lack of awareness
- Ok, that’s interesting, so what? What can small businesses do to protect themselves?
Let’s look at what issues need addressing.
- Weak passwords: It is important for small businesses to use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and regularly update them. Using the same password for multiple accounts or using weak passwords makes it easier for hackers to gain access to sensitive information.
- Lack of security protocols: Small businesses should have a clear set of security protocols in place to protect against cyber threats. This includes things like installing firewall and antivirus software, regularly updating software and applications, and educating employees on how to identify and prevent cyber attacks.
- Lack of backup and recovery plans: Small businesses should have a plan in place to backup and recover data in the event of a cyber attack or other disaster. This can include regularly backing up data to an offsite location and having a recovery plan in place to get the business back up and running as quickly as possible.
- Inadequate training for employees: Employees are often the first line of defense against cyber attacks. It is important for small businesses to provide regular training to employees on how to identify and prevent cyber threats, such as phishing attacks and malware.
- Lack of security for remote workers: With more and more businesses transitioning to remote work, it is important for small businesses to have secure protocols in place to protect remote workers. This includes providing secure access to company networks and data, as well as training employees on how securely accessing and share sensitive information when working remotely.