November 1, 2019 | Category: Articles

We’ve all heard about the cyber-attacks that plague big businesses. It seems as though every month large corporations fall victim to strategic and talented hackers. In the wake of big business breaches like those that plagued Equifax, WalMart, and Toyota it is easy for small businesses to feel as though they are as far away as possible from the threat. The reality, however, is quite the opposite. According to an article recently published by CNBC, cyber-attacks cost small businesses on average $200k — a sum hefty enough to put most small businesses out of operation within just a few months.

How Prevalent Are Cyber-Attacks Against Small Businesses?

Statistics on cyber-attacks against small businesses are staggering. It is said that cyber-attacks are the fastest growing crime across the world and over 43% of cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses. In fact, over half of all businesses have experienced some type of cybercrime within the last year.

The question a lot of executive and small business owners ask is “Why do so many cybercrimes target small businesses?” The likely answer is that only 14% of small businesses have systems in place to protect themselves. Unfortunately, small businesses are an easy target with a lot of valuable information at their fingertips. An attractive combination for hackers and other cybercriminals.

In short, small businesses should be extremely vigilant of the potential for a cyberattack. It is not only highly likely that their business will experience one but that it will experience one within the next year. If you own a small business and haven’t thought about your cybersecurity or how you would handle an attack, there’s no better time than now to start.

How Can You Protect Your Small Business from a Data Breach?

Hackers in today’s world are extremely smart, cunning, and cutting edge. Meaning, the average firewall isn’t enough to stop them or prevent a cyberattack. To truly protect your business from the biggest threats on the worldwide web, there are multiple lines of defense that you should implement.

A few of the most common strategies for protecting small businesses against cyber-attacks include:

  • Regularly training staff on current cyberthreats
  • Implement systems to regularly back-up data
  • Create employee access limitations for files and data
  • Monitor devices that regularly connect to the network
  • Routinely upgrade firewalls and anti-virus software

Although the list seems long, it is imperative for small businesses to take all of the appropriate steps to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. The cost for security measure pales in comparison to the money that can be lost in a data breach.

Enlist the Assistance of a Trusted IT Firm

At E²C we are proud to offer solutions for small business cybersecurity. When you work with us we guarantee you won’t get a cookie-cutter solution to an individual problem. We take the time to get to know your business, how you operate, and your philosophies on IT before we implement any security strategies. With our firm, you can be confident that you are getting a comprehensive solution that will defend your business from costly cyber-attacks so you can remain a vital and thriving organization for years to come. Contact us today to set up your consultation.