There is no denying that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are exceptionally vulnerable to cyber attacks that can cripple their operations, financial health and reputation. SMBs are increasingly targeted in the ransomware and malware “industry,” making it even more vital for them to fortify their cyber security protocols.
If this seems daunting, the good news is that there are affordable ways for SMBs to safeguard their assets effectively without sacrificing security.
Why Target SMBs? Smaller businesses often don’t have the resources and infrastructure to endure a significant cyberattack. Not only that but many of the solutions on the market are scaled for large businesses.
Cyber Security Strategies for Small-to-Medium-Sized Companies
Major threats to SMBs include data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing schemes. The fallout from these events can be catastrophic, as such a breach may put an SMB out of business. According to experts, these are some of the best ways to jumpstart your company’s defense against cyber criminals.
- Speak to the Experts: If you don’t have a chief information security officer (CISO) to inform the process, there are cybersecurity consultants that can be hired to develop an information security strategy. Managed services teams can also be invaluable when deciding what your plan will entail.
- Perform Risk and Gap Assessments: Evaluating possible business risks can help SMBs to determine the potential impact of threats, as well as identify and address security gaps.
- Evaluate Digital Assets: Categorize and evaluate vulnerabilities in the business digital environment.
- Develop a Cybersecurity Strategy: Create a balanced cybersecurity plan based on the assessment results. Make sure to pay attention to all aspects, such as process, personnel, and technology.
Most of the above suggestions can be performed by SMBs with limited budgets, as many can be conducted at no cost. Once cyber security protocols are determined, SMBs can help safeguard their information and data by taking these steps:
- Employee Training: Team members are the initial line of defense, so giving them the tools to spot phishing emails and other cyber threats is essential.
- Document Plans: Establish robust IT and security governance policies and document everything.
- Consult Resources: Organizations such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Center for Internet Security (CIS) offer free tools and guidance. In the last 5 years, remote work has radically shifted the business landscape, delivering benefits to employers and employees. However, this has also allowed new cybersecurity challenges to arise, as remote workers represent added vulnerability – working outside of a secure location that boasts strong security controls.SMBs can support safer remote work / cyber security protocols by implementing a comprehensive strategy. The starting point is to identify the needs of these workers (secure networks, remote management and maintenance, and endpoint security) and then to develop a robust remote work policy. This policy should stipulate acceptable use, connectivity requirements, and password management. SMBs can also invest in secure network technologies like modern VPNs or Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) systems, enforce endpoint security protocols such as firewalls, and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and centralized device management.
Providing training for workers is vital, especially if your SMB employs a remote workforce. Educating employees to identify potential threats can derail many security issues.
Like any other company, SMBs can be vulnerable to costly errors. Ignoring software updates, skipping the implementation of MFA, or passing on employee training can have catastrophic results. Routinely updating software and guaranteeing that employees are up to date can help avoid security breaches and attacks.
Cybersecurity should be important for companies of all sizes, but SMBs don’t have as much of a tolerance for outages as larger businesses do. These strategies can help small businesses to safeguard their operations and protect their reputation.
Alliance IT is dedicated to helping SMBs to access the resources and technology they need. If you are a Sarasota area small business in need of IT expertise, hardware or software – call us today.
