The headlines about data breaches usually focus on the bigger companies, like Target, Yahoo and Marriott, as well as health care institutions when they get hit. That might fuel the belief that cybercriminals only target the big guys, but it’s not true. Small business cyber security strategies must be in place to protect the little guys, as well.

The United States Cyber Security Alliance conducted research recently and found that small business cyber security is important because it protects those who are actually more vulnerable to attack than big companies. 

The research found that 60% of small businesses that are breached by cybercriminals will fold within 12 months of the attack. This proves that anyone, regardless of size, is vulnerable and that creating a cyber security protocol is no longer just an option — it’s mandatory if you want to remain functioning and operational.

So, why are small businesses more vulnerable to attack? The answer is that cybercriminals know that they have more ways to target them. Whether small business owners think they’re not targeted or they don’t have the resources to get adequate protection, they’re definitely getting hit and need to be proactive about guarding data.

For whatever reason, law enforcement and the court system don’t really do much when a small business gets hit, which means there is not a lot to keep hackers from attempting to breach small business networks. 

What You Can Do

Rather than a wait-and-see approach, get on top of the best practices in protecting your data. Follow these steps as you consider an enhanced small business cyber security plan:

• Endpoint Security
  Make secure hosting a priority, because each time someone remotely connects to your business network, a path is created that hackers can follow.
  
• Audit Often
  Security audits give you insights that allow you to evaluate your plans and make adjustments. Audits should include prioritizing sensitive data and how it is stored.
  
• Third Party Assistance
  There are organizations that specialize in small business cyber security solutions, so bring them on board and add another layer of protection.
  
• Back Up Your Data
  Don’t let them hold your data hostage; prevent becoming a victim of ransomware by backing up your data and test the integrity of the system to ensure you’re always covered.
  
• Get Covered
  Some believe that due to the evolving nature of cybercrime, nobody can be 100% safe, which is why it makes sense to buy an insurance policy.

Looking for an agent to assist you in protecting against cyber threats? Diversified Technology Group works with small businesses to do just that. Contact us and let’s talk about how we connect our clients to the best technology.