Winning at cybersecurity is a tall order--and it's even more complicated for small businesses. Luckily, it's possible to get that win without tearing out your hair. Sound too good to be true? Read on to find out how to make cybersecurity easier for your small business!
Are You a Cybercrime Target?
The truth about small businesses is that digital criminals tend to see you as easy prey. There are a few reasons for this, including:
- Creativity: Small businesses are brimming with creative ideas and important intellectual property. While this makes you stand out among your competitors, it's also a valuable target for hackers.
- Budget limitations: Hackers assume that smaller businesses have smaller budgets, which means fewer defenses.
- Lack of expertise: Your small business probably doesn't have an on-site cybersecurity expert whose only job is to defend data. Hackers know you're relying on your own people, who may not be experts--and they see that as good news for them.
- Growing pains: As your company grows, you may encounter new issues or struggle to keep up with all of your financial transactions. Hackers love taking advantage of these growing pains.
Although this list is daunting, the good news is that you have a long list of counterattacks up your sleeve. From managed IT services to document security procedures, you can win at cybersecurity.
Winning the Security Game
Here are a few simple ways to ensure every day is a cybersecurity win for your small business.
- #1: Have backups.
Backups seem like "preparing for the worst," but they're actually a small business's best friend. Backups protect you in case of data loss, theft, or corruption, and they're even a safety net in case of a natural disaster.
- #2: Take authentication to the next level.
Multi-factor authentication requires more than one form of identification before allowing any individual to access data, machines, or accounts. Even if a hacker gets their hands on one piece of employee identification, they probably won't be able to get multiple!
- #3: Pay attention to connections.
Printers connect to your network, mobile devices connect to your printers--modern tech is like a spider-web of connections. Paying attention to those connections, which includes monitoring for suspicious activity and blocking unfamiliar devices, is an easy way to win at cybersecurity.
In summary, small businesses may be a target for hackers, but you can protect yourself by winning at cybersecurity. Remember things like backups, multi-factor authentication, and network monitoring, and don't forget that you have tools like managed IT services and document security at your disposal.
Worried about cybersecurity? Looking for solutions like managed IT? Contact us today!
