In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity is not just for large corporations; it's a must for small businesses too. Cyber threats are on the rise, and small businesses are increasingly becoming targets. To protect your business and customer data, here are some essential cybersecurity services every small business should consider:
Here is a list of the Best Cybersecurity Practices for Small Businesses:
1. Firewall Protection
- Stats: Did you know that phishing is one of the biggest threats for small organizations, accounting for over 30% of breaches? This is followed by the use of stolen credentials (27 percent) and password dumpers (16 percent). (Source: Verizon's 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report)
A robust firewall acts as the first line of defense against unauthorized access and malicious traffic. It filters out potential threats and keeps your network secure.
2. Antivirus Software
- Stats: In 2022, organizations all around the world detected 493.33 million ransomware attempts. (Source: Statista's Annual number of ransomware attempts worldwide from 2017 to 2022)
Antivirus software scans for and detects malware, viruses, and other malicious software, preventing them from infecting your systems.
3. Employee Training for Small Businesses
- Stats: 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. (Source: World Economic Forum)
- Stats: Cyber attacks caused by compromised employee passwords cost $383,365 on average. (Source: Fundera)
Invest in cybersecurity training for your employees to educate them about phishing attacks, password security, and other best practices.
4. Regular Updates
- Stats: 60% of breaches were linked to a vulnerability where a patch was available, but not applied. (Source: BitDefender)
Keep your operating systems, software, and applications up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.
5. Data Encryption
- Stats: 22% of small businesses encrypt their databases (Source: Fundera)
Encrypt sensitive data to protect it from unauthorized access, even if it falls into the wrong hands.
6. Back-Up Solutions
- Stats: Small businesses spend an average of $955,429 to restore normal business in the wake of successful attacks. (Source: Fundera)
Regularly back up your data to ensure business continuity in case of a cyberattack or data loss.
7. Cybersecurity Consultations for Small Businesses
- Stats: 47% of small businesses have no understanding of how to protect themselves against cyber attacks. (Source: Fundera)
Consider consulting with cybersecurity experts who can assess your business's unique needs and recommend tailored solutions.
8. Managed Cybersecurity Solutions for Small Businesses
- Stats: 3 out of 4 small businesses say they don’t have the personnel to address IT security. (Source: Fundera)
- Stats: Industry experts say a small business’s cyber security budget should be at least 3% of a company’s total spending. (Source: Fundera)
Outsourcing your cybersecurity needs can relieve a ton of stress off your shoulders. This allows you to focus on your business knowing that you're protected by team's of cybersecurity professionals.
9. Penetration Testing for Small Businesses
- Stats: 73% of successful breaches in the business sector were accounted for by the penetration of vulnerable web applications(Source: GetAstra Penetration Testing Statistics 2023)
Find the gaps in your defenses before the bad guys do. Penetration testing is one of the best ways to find and fix issues before they cost hundred's of thousands of dollars. Testers can target anything from the end user, the network, and even physical security.
Conclusion
Protecting your small business from cyber threats is not just an option; it's a necessity. By investing in these essential cybersecurity services, you can safeguard your business and customer trust. Don't wait until it's too late.
This is only the beginning of the list of the Best cybersecurity practices for Small Businesses.
At Cyber Uplink, we do the hard work for you, allowing you to truly sit back, relax, and enjoy the protections of our partnered cybersecurity service providers. The best part is, WE ARE FREE FOR YOU!
Authored by: Ryan Tucker, Cybersecurity Professional
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-tucker-cyber
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