It has been well-established over the last few years that small business is targeted by cybercriminals. We have discussed how anti-virus software, firewalls, and password protocols are important to the security of your data and your business.

However, small business has a tendency to be reactive rather than proactive. After all, your business doesn’t have an IT staff to keep up with all of the emerging threats.

Over the years, you have put protections in place, but there has never really been a comprehensive cyber security plan developed to meet the ongoing needs of your growing business.

Here is why you should consider doing just that.

  • You may have been so vigilant about stopping external threats, that you haven’t paid attention to internal protocols. Or perhaps you’ve stayed on top of the newest malware attacks but didn’t know about the dangers of phishing. The fact is, that things in the cyber world are changing so rapidly that you may not even know if your security measures are covering you anymore. Undertaking a cybersecurity plan will help to uncover vulnerabilities in your organization, wherever they may lie.
  • Implementing and maintaining a cybersecurity strategy infuses your organization with a level of commitment to remaining secure. When it becomes part of the corporate culture, everyone in the organization – not just those dedicated to IT – begins to take ownership in the process.
  • Reactive defense simply cannot keep up with the cybercriminals. If nearly 50% of small businesses have experienced a cyber attack, and the majority of those businesses are out of business within 6 months – you cannot afford to not be proactive.  A cyber security plan allows you to assume an offensive position in the cyber wars.
  • Strategy is necessary for proactively fighting against cyber attacks.  It permits centralized control and decision-making – and helps to set a specific set of goals and objectives designed to tackle the challenges. You can then use your strategy and objectives to measure how you are doing and where you are lacking. Remember, you need a strategy for new attacks which don’t even exist yet, not only the ones you know about today.
  • Once a strategic cyber security plan is implemented, you can assure employees, clients, end-users and business partners as to your organization’s commitment to keeping their data safe.

Here’s a Tip: A Technology Needs Assessment plays a critical role in maintaining maximum productivity in your organization. Setting up simultaneous annual reviews of both your technology needs assessment and cybersecurity plan allows your team to cover all vulnerabilities and keep your company protected across the board.

What Needs to Be Addressed in a Cyber Security Plan?

If can be overwhelming to think about having the manpower not only to assess where you currently stand in regards to cyber security, but to create plans to protect your data and business.  That is why many small businesses have decided to hire managed services firms to help them with their overall IT strategy.

Managed services companies have the expertise, manpower, and tools to stay abreast of the many threats your organization faces in a digital world. Whether looking for consulting services to help you to develop strategies for cybersecurity or considering hiring a managed services company to act as your IT department, knowing that a dedicated team of professionals is working to secure your business can be a great weight off of your shoulders.

If you have questions about how to best protect your Sarasota small business, call Alliance IT.