For cybercriminals, no business is too small to target. Sadly, many small- and medium-sized business (SMBs) owners still have the mindset that only large organizations could get attacked. They assume they’re safe since they’re small players, and it’s this very mentality that makes their business ripe for the picking. In reality, cybercriminals don’t discriminate. As long as they see anything lucrative to exploit, they go for it. There are no priority targets and any entity with weak security, small businesses like yours included, is fair game.
It’s also important to know that the expansion of operating systems (OSs), platforms, services, and devices, as well as the increased availability of cloud services and business applications, makes the future of SMBs look diverse. SMBs could cherry-pick solutions that best fit their working environment.
With the dynamic nature of the threat landscape we see today, adopting a robust cybersecurity program is a critical component to the success of your business. Here are 5 five key elements of a strong security solution:
Employee education and training
Your employees are considered the first line of defense in your organization, and yet they too are the weakest link in your company’s network. We can’t deny that human error could lead to costly damages, but your employees can’t be vigilant if they don’t know what to look out for. Whether it’s a ransomware attack or a business email compromise (BEC) scam, employees behind the keyboard are unwittingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Providing awareness of the latest attack methods and training them on the various types of cybercrime will lessen the chances of a successful attack.
Malware protection
There’s no silver bullet when it comes to cybersecurity, but it’s still important to have strong and dynamic security solutions to safeguard the computers, network, systems, and mobile devices across your organization. With the exponential growth of ransomware, as well as the advanced and unseen threats that continue to develop and plague businesses, a layered threat defense is a must. Begin with endpoints to defend them against the different ways attackers can access an organization’s system, such as spam, malicious web downloads, and phishing attacks.
Beyond this, have a security policy and regular checks for compliance, especially with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Remember, technology is constantly changing and your policy needs to keep up.
Encryption
Cybercriminals aren’t just after cold cash. In fact, corporate data could be more valuable than immediate monetary gains, and one of the ways to obtain this is to attack your company’s communications. With encryption, your data and devices are safe. You can move data securely, maintain data integrity, and ensure compliance.
Data backup
An age-old rule that we should never take for granted is to always backup your data. As mentioned, your company’s data are your crown jewels, and losing them could lead to massive damages and losses. A common practice today is to back up data in the cloud, so in case of a power outage, natural disaster, theft, or human negligence, you can easily retrieve the data you lost.
A traditional yet effective practice is the 3-2-1 rule: at least three copies, in two different formats, with one of those copies off site.
Physical security
There are still criminals who take the smash-and-grab approach to stealing documents, passwords, and even data. For example, many retail companies have been targeted by point-of-sale (PoS) attacks via secret pocket skimmers. Armed with an NFC-enabled smartphone and an app that can read contactless card data, hackers can brush against potential victims in crowded places, especially retail shops, and wirelessly steal their credit card data. This act, which requires the physical presence of a hacker and a potential victim, has been dubbed as electronic pickpocketing.
Keep watch over your premises, whether it’s an onsite security staff or a video surveillance system, to ensure a physical security presence against would-be hackers and thieves.
Your growing business is part of a dynamic marketplace that continues to evolve along with various trends and technologies. If you’re looking for ways to improve your business’s security, give us a call today, and we’ll give you a customized assessment.
