Small businesses, like large businesses, are subject to cybersecurity assaults. The notion of security via obscurity, or that your organization is too small to be a target, is a common misperception for small enterprises. However, this is not the case.
As attackers’ attacks become more automated, they can target hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses at once. Small organizations frequently have weaker technological defenses, less awareness of dangers, and less time and resources to devote to cybersecurity. As a result, they are more accessible to hackers than big businesses. Small businesses’ security vulnerabilities must be aware of the hazards and how to counteract them.
What Are Some Major Security Vulnerabilities Of Small Businesses?
Patch Management Error:
Patch management is a critical component of cyber security. A patch is a software or application update that resolves vulnerabilities and defects. When a new patch is issued, organizations must implement it as soon as possible. This is because the vulnerability is then made public, allowing cyber thieves to exploit the flaws.
Organizations often develop a patch management procedure to guarantee that patches are applied as soon as possible. This procedure ensures that when a patch is issued, the person in charge of managing the program or software is alerted. When developing a patch management program, businesses should adhere to the best standards described in Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001.
Phishing Attacks:
The most significant, damaging, and widespread threat to small businesses is phishing. Phishing accounts for 90% of all breaches that organizations suffer, has increased by 65% in the last year, and caused over $12 billion in company losses. Phishing attacks occur when an attacker impersonates a trusted contact and persuades a victim to click a malicious link, download a malicious file, or disclose sensitive information, account details, or credentials.
A powerful Email Security Gateway, such as Proofpoint Essentials or Mimecast, can keep phishing emails from reaching your employees’ inboxes. Cloud-based email security solutions can also help you protect your company from phishing assaults. These systems allow users to report phishing emails, which administrators then delete from all user inboxes.
Ransomware:
Ransomware is the fastest-growing danger to businesses. It’s a sort of malware that encrypts files, making it impossible for the victim to access their computers. The attackers then send a ransom note demanding money – generally in bitcoin – in exchange for the information’s recovery. Because the software is cheap to buy and can be readily planted on organizations, these types of attacks have become extremely popular among cyber criminal gangs.
To reduce the danger of ransomware, businesses must implement both preventative and reactive measures. By putting in place safeguards against phishing and system weaknesses. Organizations should back up their sensitive information regularly and store it on an external server. This ensures that if a ransomware assault occurs, the organization can restore its data without having to deal with illegal hackers.
Insider Threat:
Insider danger is the final big issue that small firms face. An insider threat is a risk to a company created by the acts of its employees, former employees, business contractors, or associates. These actors have access to sensitive information about your organization and can harm avarice or malice. To combat insider threats, small organizations must establish a strong security awareness culture within their organization.
Overall, Businesses can best protect themselves against these dangers by implementing a complete set of security tools and utilizing Security Awareness Training to ensure that users are aware of security threats and how to prevent them.
