For many years, small and medium businesses (SMBs) were unlikely targets for sophisticated cyberattacks. But contrary to popular belief, this has changed dramatically in the past few years as SMBs become more reliant on IT systems while still suffering from weak security and encryption, and lack of security knowledge and best practices. To a hacker, this translates into reams of sensitive data behind a door with an easy lock to pick.
Why are SMBs at risk?
When it comes to the value of stolen data, the size of an organization is irrelevant. A single unprotected device is all cybercriminals need to hack an entire system and even SMBs have several dozen desktops, servers, and mobile devices to target. According to Verizon's 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report, 58% of all cyberattacks target SMBs. While the gains might not be as profitable as those from larger organizations, SMBs make for an easier job simply because they are easier to penetrate.
Between regulatory fines, customer lawsuits, and damage to IT solutions, a single cyberattack is often too much for an SMB to handle.
While the need for better cybersecurity solutions is obvious, many SMBs are still struggling to allocate enough resources to secure their IT infrastructure. For one, the threat landscape is rapidly changing, making it more challenging to keep up to date.
Second, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, a small coffee shop could have different security needs than a medical clinic, with the former requiring payment-centric security and the latter needing robust data protection software for sensitive health information.
Why is it worth investing in cybersecurity?
The first thing you need to do is assess the cybersecurity needs of your organization and its network. Without this knowledge, trying to manage all the threats would be like herding cats, spreading yourself too widely and too thin to prioritize things like employee training and proactive solutions. One of the best ways to begin is reinforcing a security-first mindset and IT best practices across your organization.
Similarly, implementing a regular security assessment on your IT network should be a fundamental part of your organization's cybersecurity plan. The benefits of doing so goes beyond complying with government regulations such as HIPAA, DFARS, or PCI. Undertaking routine security assessments can help you:
- Determine whether your security has already been compromised
- Stay ahead of the latest security threats
- Ensure that employees are being vigilant by enforcing best practices
- Increase security awareness and understanding
- Prioritize and focus on high-importance, high-payoff items
- Show your clients that security is important to you by protecting their data
There's a good chance your business will experience an attack. With a team of highly skilled and trained cybersecurity professionals like the ones at Charles IT, you can handle it like a pro. Our team consistently engages in company-wide security assessments, detailed reports on detected vulnerabilities, and timely recommendations for ways to fix them, and real-time supervision of websites, servers, and network ports.
Give us a call now and we’ll help you stay ahead of your cybersecurity woes.
