Small business cybersecurity has become one of the most crucial factors to a company’s long-term protection and success. Thousands of cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to access confidential data, steal company info, and even take customer details.
As a business owner, you need to understand the main concepts involved in protecting your company online.
We’ve put together this cybersecurity guide for small businesses to ensure that you and your team know cyber threats to watch for, myths to avoid, and tips to protect your company.
Cybersecurity Threats Small Businesses Face
When it comes to small business cybersecurity, there are more threats than you might think. Companies all over the world are constantly under attack, which makes it crucial for owners and managers to be aware of these potential hazards.
Threat #1: Unprepared
Among the biggest cybersecurity threats to small businesses, a lack of preparedness is often at the top of the list. Too many business owners don’t make this a priority, leaving them open to all types of cyber risks.
It is essential to your company’s digital and physical safety that you take the proper precautions to maintain a high level of cybersecurity at all times.
Threat #2: Phishing
You’ve no doubt seen the sketchy emails that pop up appearing to be from a well-known organization like Apple, Amazon, Google, and others. These fraudulent points of contact entice viewers to click on dangerous links that could end up instantly installing harmful viruses onto the device.
You and your employees should never click on links from email addresses that you’re not expecting or don’t know.
Threat #3: Malware
The term malware is short for “malicious software”, which hackers and cybercriminals use to steal data from small businesses or damage their devices. Malware is typically used as a catch-all term to describe any form of software that harms devices, standard programs, and beyond.
To avoid malware, follow effective small business cybersecurity steps such as installing anti-virus software, keeping it updated, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and doing regular backups of your data.
Threat #4: Ransomware
Fitting its name, ransomware is a form of malware that will block access to specific aspects of a device until the user fulfills the attacker’s demands. This could be anything from money to other forms of compensation.
Similar to malware, ransomware can often be prevented by maintaining reliable cybersecurity software and keeping backups of your information and data.
Threat #5: Cloud Access
There are multiple ways a cyber attacker could access your data through the cloud if it isn’t managed effectively. Whether it has misconfigurations, insecure APIs, outages, or human error, these mistakes leave your company with major vulnerabilities.
You’ll want to work with a trusted and secure cloud provider to ensure you aren’t subject to this exposure, while also making sure your team follows proper protocols as well.
Threat #6: Password Theft
Have you ever used a sticky note or another visible reminder to keep your passwords close by? Whether it’s through this insecure practice or an online attack, password theft gives hackers full access to whatever systems they want.
Protect your small business and its data by using a dependable password manager that will securely save your login details.
Threat #7: Lack of Education
With so many forms of cyber attacks and the high level of small business cybersecurity that is required nowadays, it can feel intimidating to learn everything about it. While you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert, it is vital that you and your team at least be educated on a few of the bare essentials such as how to identify phishing threats, proper password protection, etc.
Cybersecurity Myths Companies Should Be Aware Of
There is a lot of misinformation across the internet and other sources that incorrectly detail the requirements of cybersecurity for small business. Understanding the difference between cybersecurity myths and reality will be a major factor in protecting your company, your employees, and your other assets.
Myth #1: All we need is cybersecurity software
Protecting your small business isn’t as simple as a one-time event of installing cybersecurity software. It requires constant vigilance through monitoring, updates, and following proper security practices.
Myth #2: Phishing scams are easy to spot
Although some phishing scams are blatantly obvious that they’re fake, others are getting more creative in finding ways to get viewers to click their links. Stay up-to-date on the most recent phishing scams like whaling attacks and others.
Myth #3: Hackers don’t target small businesses
According to CyberSecurity Magazine, about 43% of online data breaches affect small to medium-sized businesses. Every company, no matter how big or small, should always be prepared and protected against cybercrime of any form.
Myth #4: Cybersecurity risks only happen from third-party individuals
Unfortunate as it may sound, cyber attacks can occur both from external and internal sources. While it’s important to trust your employees, you should also have safeguards in place by only providing data access to individuals who absolutely need it.
Myth #5: Social media scams don’t affect businesses
Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all cater to businesses as well as personal profiles. This means companies are just as likely to be targeted by social media scams as anyone else.
Myth #6: We’ll know if something is wrong with my computer or phone
All too often, a cyber attacker could have access to your devices without you even knowing. They’re able to work behind the scenes as they access data, steal information, and cause other damage. This is where constant monitoring and updates become essential to avoiding small business cybersecurity issues.
Myth #7: Our devices are password-protected so we’re good
As mentioned above, password theft is a real problem that affects thousands of businesses every year. The simple use of a password isn’t always enough to keep your company safe from potential cyber risks.
Myth #8: We don’t have anything someone would want to steal
Products and company data aren't the only things hackers are looking for. Even an individual’s name or other personal information could be enough for them to begin the process of stealing someone’s identity.
Social Media Cybersecurity
Although most cybersecurity issues stem from emails, there is a growing problem with these threats making their way to social media platforms.
Previous reports from the FTC have stated that 94% of social media scams occur on Facebook and Instagram. If you, your company, or any of your employees use either of these channels, it leaves your small business open to cybersecurity threats.
While you don’t have to ban these entertaining and engaging social platforms, it is important that you at least educate your team on proper practices when using them. They’ll need to know what social media scams look like, how to avoid them, and what to do if they’re the victim of a scam.
Types of Hackers that Attack Small Businesses
Knowing about the different types of hackers that are out there is a great way to maintain a higher level of cybersecurity for your small business. Believe it or not, there are good hackers and bad hackers, which are defined in three different ways:
- White hat hackers:
These cybersecurity professionals use their hacking skills for good as they often serve as employees for companies and governments. Their job is to watch for security breaches and to do all they can to prevent them from happening in the first place.
- Gray hat hackers:
While these hackers aren’t usually considered criminals, they tend to float in neutral territory. They usually use their hacking abilities for fun or for limited personal gain, not typically breaking the law in the process.
- Black hat hackers:
When it comes to cybercrime, black hat hackers are the ones to watch out for. They hack into companies, banks, and other entities intending to steal, hurt, or bully others.
Check out our full guide on these three types of hackers here.
Essential Cybersecurity Tips Every Business Should Follow
Protecting your company from digital attacks is a team effort. To ensure that you’re always safe from these issues, here are a few cybersecurity tips for small business that will help:
- Learn how to spot suspicious emails and teach your employees as well.
- Ensure that your company is using a VPN for added security protection.
- Create separate user accounts for all employees.
- Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
- Limit employee access to security data and sensitive information.
- Regularly update your passwords and don’t keep them out in the open.
- Secure your mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
- Keep your software up-to-date at all times.
- Back up your data on a trusted place like Makios Cloud Files.
Keep Your Small Business Protected
Use the details in this small business cybersecurity guide so that you, your employees, and your customers are always protected. If you want professional help and support avoiding cyberattacks, look no further than the dependable team here at Makios Technology!
or give us a call today at (915) 217-2500!
References: Federal Trade Commission,
