You may believe that cyber attacks only occur in big companies. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
According to a recent study, over two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) experienced at least one cyber attack in the previous year. That is a startling figure that should serve as a wake-up call to companies everywhere.
But things get worse.
Repeat attacks are also becoming more common, with 87% reporting at least two successful attempts in the last year. On average, a firm experiences about five successful cyber attacks.
Terrifying.
Why are these attacks taking place, and what can be done to avoid them?
Malware and ransomware are the most typical sorts of cyber attacks that businesses encounter.
Malware refers to harmful software. It infiltrates your system and can create a variety of issues, ranging from slowing down your operations to stealing your data.
Ransomware is much more hazardous since it encrypts your data, making access impossible until you pay a ransom price. This may be disastrous for any firm, resulting in considerable costs and downtime.
What elements influence more successful attacks?
One factor is the growing popularity of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). This involves employees utilizing personal devices to access business information, which can be dangerous.
Another cause is the growth of productivity applications, which can lead to security flaws if not properly secured.
Finally, the increased number of gadgets we use implies that cyber criminals have additional access points to exploit.
The good news is that you can take precautions to safeguard your company. Here are five strong security measures you can implement.
- Use strong passwords: Passwords are your first line of defense, so make sure they’re strong and unique. Better yet, use a password manager that can create and remember randomly generated passwords
- Keep software up to date: Software updates often contain security fixes, so make sure you’re always running the latest version. This applies to both your operating system and all applications you use
- Train your staff: Educate your employees on how to identify phishing emails and other scams. You can also run regular security awareness training sessions to keep everyone up to date
- Backup your data: Doing this means if you do suffer a cyber attack, you can restore your systems quickly and with less disruption
- Use antivirus software: This can help protect your systems from malware and other threats. Make sure you’re running a reputable and up-to-date solution
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Take action today to help you stay protected.
And if that seems like a lot of extra work, let us help. Get in touch today.