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 Security Solutions for Small Businesses
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 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 are exploitable weaknesses in computer hardware.
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.
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).
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.