Top 4 Strategies To Keep SMBs Safe From Cybersecurity Threats
With all of the hacking headlines in recent years, it’s no surprise that small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) are concerned about their cybersecurity. Luckily, all you need is a robust cybersecurity framework to secure your data and keep your clients safe.
With an ever-increasing number of people, devices, and programs in the modern company and an amount of data use (much of it sensitive or confidential), cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. The problem is exacerbated by the increasing number and skill of cybersecurity threats and attack methods.
By size alone, SMB’s (Small and Medium Businesses) have different requirements than large enterprise organizations. This is because of the constraints these companies face financially and staff they can dedicate solely to IT and retain on a cyber security salary. Employers in SMBs feel that this leaves less room for new projects or initiatives outside core workflows.
Engineers participating in the Firefly launch have to implement numerous changes and conduct extensive tests to perfect the spacecraft that will help us clean space. And if they can bring such ideas to fruition, there’s no reason why your SMB should fail. With a few changes and tests, you can avoid falling victim to cyber-attacks in 2021.
In this post, we consider the latest cybersecurity news and trends to bring you the top four strategies you can use to keep your SMB safe from even the most cyber attacks.
5 Common Types of Cybersecurity Threats
For the sake of newbies in the house, we take a brief look at some common types of cybersecurity threats you may encounter. SMB owners often don’t know the difference between a virus and malware, but it can be costly to hire a cybersecurity analyst to revive a compromised system. We will help you identify the top 5 most common types of cyber threats so that you can protect your business from hackers.
- Malware: Malware is malicious software that hackers can use to harm a computer by exploiting any file or program. Worms, viruses, Trojans, and spyware fall into this category.
- Spyware: A type of malware that can infiltrate your computer and steal information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
- Ransomware: Every year, hundreds of businesses are affected by ransomware, which is one of the most popular cyber-attacks. Attackers encrypt firm data so it can’t be utilized or accessed, then demand a ransom to decrypt it. Businesses are faced with a difficult decision: paying the ransom and risk losing a significant amount of money or having their services crippled by data loss. Just imagine the devastation such cybersecurity threats in healthcare or finance can cause.
- Phishing: Phishing is a social engineering cyberattack that uses disguised email as the choice of weapon. It’s used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. It includes email phishing, vishing, spear phishing, and whaling.
- DDoS: Multiple systems interrupt the traffic of a targeted business. They target network resources like servers in a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assault. Attackers can slow or damage the target system by flooding it with messages, connection requests, or packets, preventing genuine traffic from accessing it.
Four Ways SMBs Can Protect Themselves From Cybersecurity Threats
In the past year, cyber-attacks have been making headlines for all sorts of different companies, from gasoline suppliers to insurance firms and even sports teams like the Houston Rockets. And if large enterprises fall prey, so could any SMB. Here are four proven ways you can protect yourself.
1. Invest in Anti-Malware Software and Spam Filters
SMBs should install antimalware and antivirus software on all company devices, even phones. Additionally, you should update each piece of security software regularly.
Invest in antiviruses that automatically update themselves to save time and human resources. This software will first detect any spam, virus, or malware before they access and compromise the system.
2. Educate the Workforce
Use cybersecurity programs to educate employees on the various types of scams and attacks so that they can recognize the top cybersecurity threats 2021 and stop attacks in their tracks. Insider threats account for the majority of data breaches in small businesses. Surprisingly, they occur by mistake due to the staff’s lack of expertise or incompetence, rather than malice.
Therefore, it’s critical to educate your staff to understand what they’re doing and what they can do to protect themselves.
3. Establish Policies for Cybersecurity
To prepare the organization and its people to battle cybercriminals, develop policies that support a complete security strategy. Implementing a multi-factor authentication system, such as a two-way authentication process, for example, can prevent unauthorized access from a hacker who has obtained a user’s login credentials.
4. Secure Your Platforms
Due to the recent upsurge of people working from home, hackers have a field day unscrupulously accessing companies’ data via vulnerable home networks.
The first security line against cybersecurity threats or attacks is investing in a highly rated and well-reviewed VPN service for any remote workers. Also, choose cloud-based applications that automatically update themselves because they are more resistant to attacks.
Whether working remotely or in the office, ask your staff to use strong passwords to protect any company data and files. And update all passwords too to stay one step ahead.
The Bottom Line
All the same, SMBs find it challenging to compete in a digital world while managing their IT needs. And this includes keeping cyber threats at bay. Since the pandemic began, cyber crimes have increased by 300% in the US.
But with a bit of intervention, your business can overcome these obstacles. Do you agree with us? Let us know in the comment section below.
Author’s Bio:
Emily Moore is an English & programming teacher with a passion for space and blogging. She believes that current exploration should be focused on preserving our planet’s resources. With satellites circling the orbit, it is easier to get relevant data on any environmental changes. This, in turn, should help people quickly address any challenges.
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