No company is completely safe from cyberattacks, no matter how large or small it is. There are always cybercriminals roaming the internet, looking for security gaps to infiltrate and wreak havoc. Unfortunately, the situation does not get any easier today, as remote work setups are growing in popularity.

Without having the usual control a company has over its digital technologies, the risk of cyberattacks become even more significant, putting it at a higher risk of data breaches and the like. While larger businesses can mitigate such risks by investing in more secure equipment, SMBs (small-to-medium businesses) do not have the resources to achieve the same goal.

SMBs and Cybersecurity

While many SMB owners tend to believe that their companies are too small to be targeted, the reality is that they are much more vulnerable and likelier to be attacked.

Malwarebytes published a study that shows that almost twenty percent of SMBs do not consider cybersecurity a primary concern. An even smaller portion are aware that their employees can pose a security risk simply due to a lack of training and information.

Another study from the CRI (Cyber Readiness Institute) found that while half of all SMBs have expressed security concerns about remote work, only a quarter did anything to enhance cybersecurity.

As you can tell, SMBs generally do not take cybersecurity as seriously as they should.  However, it is vital that you put security measures in place to protect your business. Otherwise, you can face heavy consequences, whether that be loss of data or finances.

Protecting an SMB

There are various ways SMBs can strengthen their cybersecurity to make their businesses more resilient to nefarious attacks. For instance, employee training revolving around cybersecurity can enhance awareness about how different attacks are carried out and highlight the consequences of a successful attack. This can help workers be more careful while on the job, providing greater security. Another solution is to update security policies, ensuring that they are sophisticated enough to protect against even the latest attacks.

That said, every SMB should utilise some of the following tips to ensure cybersecurity. For example, all employees should keep their software up to date. This ensures that the tools they use feature the latest security updates to safeguard against new attacks. Also, strong passwords should always be used for home networks and accounts. The stronger the password, the harder it is to crack. Finally, passwords should never be the same when it comes to work and personal accounts. That way, if a personal account is breached, work-related accounts are not at risk.

Conclusion

Even if you may believe your small business may not be at risk of an attack, you can never be too safe. With statistics proving that many SMBs are the targets of cybercriminals, it is vital that you employ security implementations in your business and put the time and effort into getting them right.

While it might cost you plenty of money to invest in security solutions and plenty of time to create new policies, these efforts will all pay off. By reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks in your business, you can continue running your company without the worry of a cybercriminal disrupting your business.

FraudWatch International is a cybersecurity agency that offers protection from various risks, such as malware and phishing scams, to different companies worldwide. If you are looking for protection against phishing and more for your small business, work with us today!