Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but they are also among the most vulnerable when it comes to cyberattacks. According to a 2018 study by the National Cyber Security Alliance, 60% of small businesses in the United States have experienced a cyberattack, and 70% of those that have been attacked have gone out of business within six months.
This is a sobering statistic, but there is some good news. The number of small businesses that experience cyberattacks each year has been declining, and this is likely due to increased awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. Nevertheless, there is still more work to be done to ensure that all small businesses are properly protected against cyberattacks.
Why Are Small Businesses Targeted?
Small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals because they are seen as easy marks. This is because many small businesses do not have the same resources as larger businesses when it comes to cybersecurity. They may not have the money to invest in state-of-the-art security systems or the manpower to constantly monitor their networks for signs of intrusion.
In addition, small businesses may be less likely to have established procedures for dealing with a cyberattack. This can leave them scrambling to contain the damage after an attack has occurred, which can make them even more vulnerable to further attacks. Moreover, many small businesses do not realize how valuable their data is to criminals. Sensitive customer data, such as credit card numbers and Social Security numbers, can be sold on the black market for a handsome profit.
What Can Small Businesses Do To Improve Their Cybersecurity?
There are several steps that small businesses can take to improve their cybersecurity and reduce their risk of being attacked. First and foremost, they need to educate themselves and their employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices for reducing those risks. Employee awareness is critical because humans are often the weakest link in any security system.
In addition, small businesses should consider investing in some basic security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software. They should also create backup copies of all important data and store them in a secure location off-site. Finally, small businesses need to develop incident response plans so that they know what to do in the event of a successful cyberattack.
Contact Blue Viper
Contact Blue Viper for help in crafting your security awareness training program and strengthening your organization's cybersecurity posture.
As always, stay vigilant.
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