Why do small businesses need cyber security?
One of the most common mistakes small businesses make is thinking they are not a viable target for cyber criminals.
However, cyber criminals usually target security vulnerabilities rather than specific victims. Internet security is essential for all organisations, whatever their size.
As our infographic 14 Cyber Security Statistics for SMEs shows, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses.
And, according to Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report, 46% of data breaches involved SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).
So, how are you at risk, and what can you do?
Cyber security vulnerabilities affecting small businesses
Small-business owners should consider the following when putting together a security strategy:
Network security vulnerabilities
Network security vulnerabilities are the result of insecure operating systems and network architecture. This includes flaws in servers and hosts, misconfigured wireless network access points and firewalls, and insecure network protocols.
Hardware vulnerabilities
Hardware vulnerabilities are exploitable weaknesses in computer hardware.
Software and application vulnerabilities
Software and application vulnerabilities include coding errors or software responding to certain requests in unintended ways. They include CSRF (cross-site request forgery) and XSS (cross-site scripting) vulnerabilities.
Weak, default and reused passwords
If default passwords are left unchanged or weak passwords are used, it is easy for attackers to crack them. However, people reusing their login credentials on different sites and services presents a bigger risk.
Criminals use automated attacks using the username/password combinations they have gained from other attacks to see what else they can access. Password reuse is rife, so the likelihood of their gaining access to multiple sites with a single set of stolen credentials is high.
This is why it is essential to use a strong, unique password for every account, especially if it is linked to the same username – often an email address.
As well as using strong passwords, you can add an extra layer of security by using MFA (multifactor authentication).
Poor staff awareness
Once a cyber attack has made it past an organisation’s technical security measures, its staff are its last line of defence.
Most malware is spread via phishing: all it takes is one employee clicking a malicious link or opening an infected attachment to compromise the business’s security.
Therefore, staff training is essential to ensuring your employees remain aware of the latest email security threats and how to react should they fall victim.
Learn more about the cyber security threats you face
Small business cyber security solutions
Protecting your business should not be a burden. IT Governance has everything you need, from conducting risk assessments and implementing basic technological security measures to creating appropriate policies and procedures, and training your staff, IT Governance has everything you need.
Cyber Essentials certification
The Cyber Essentials scheme provides a set of five controls that organisations can implement to achieve a baseline of cyber security and against which they can achieve certification to prove their credentials. These five controls can help prevent 80% of the most common attacks.
Certification to the scheme provides numerous benefits, including reduced insurance premiums, improved investor and customer confidence, and the ability to tender for business where certification is a prerequisite.
Learn more about the Cyber Essentials scheme
Cyber Health Check
Our Cyber Health Check will help you identify your weakest security areas and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate your risks. It includes vulnerability scans of critical external infrastructure IPs and websites/URLs.
This will help you establish a secure infrastructure, which is a requirement of data protection laws, standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Cyber Essentials, and others.
Learn more about cyber health checks
Cyber Security Risk Assessment
The speed at which you identify and mitigate cyber incidents makes a significant difference in controlling your risks, cost and exposure. Effective cyber incident response management can reduce the risk of future incidents, help you detect incidents earlier and develop a robust defence against attacks.
Learn more about how we can help you determine and mitigate your cyber risks
Cyber Security as a Service
If you don’t have the time or internal resources to address your cyber security risks, why not outsource your cyber security needs to us? This ensures you get affordable, hassle-free expert guidance as and when you need it.
Learn more about Cyber Security as a Service