According to statistics compiled by TechTarget.com, experts predict that cybercrime’s annual average cost will hit over $23 trillion in 2027, a drastic increase from 2022’s $8.4 trillion. The tech website also cited data revealing that nearly half (48%) of all small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have been a cyberattack victim. All those figures underscore the importance of implementing robust IT and cybersecurity measures, regardless of your organization’s size.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. So please read on, as the experts at EMPIST have shared valuable insights into IT security strategies and cybersecurity solutions in this guide.
Require IT and Cybersecurity Training in Your Organization
IT and cyber security training educates people to understand, identify, and avoid security threats. Through training, your organization’s members can become aware of cyber dangers and their high costs. They’ll likely become more attentive to what they click.
Set Up Firewalls
Firewalls are crucial business cyber protection solutions because they serve as a first line of defense. Think of them as gatekeepers. They examine incoming and outgoing network traffic, allowing only legitimate communication while preventing unwanted or malicious traffic from penetrating the network.
Invest in Threat Detection and Prevention Systems
The University of San Diego says the AV-TEST Institute registers over 450,000 new malware programs and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) daily. Any of these can invade your organization’s IT equipment and network. However, the risks are higher if you don’t implement robust cybersecurity measures.
To stay on top of new and existing malware, your organization should consider investing in cybersecurity threat detection and prevention. They work as data protection techniques by performing the following functions.
Proactive Threat Identification
A threat detection system continuously monitors your network traffic and IT infrastructure. It remains “on its toes” for suspicious and potentially malicious activity, enabling cybersecurity personnel to identify and stop potential threats before they escalate into full-blown attacks.
Mitigate Damage
According to CSOOnline.com, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. alone reached $9.36 million in 2024. The global average per breach during the same year was $4.88 million.
With so much money on the line, most SMBs can’t afford to be hit by even a single data breach. The good news is that early detection enables organizations and security teams to respond swiftly to contain threats. Such prompt response can reduce the potential damage and losses caused by cyberattacks.
Get a Comprehensive Cyber Risk Assessment
A cyber risk assessment analyzes an organization’s existing and potential cybersecurity threats, such as:
- Legacy or outdated IT systems
- Network threats and vulnerabilities
- Lack of data access and control
- Unmonitored and insecure devices used with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies
- Delays in downloading and installing security updates
- Poor password hygiene and management
All those problems can put your organization at risk of malware, including but not limited to:
- Viruses
- Trojans
- Ransomware
- Adware
- Spyware
Consider getting a penetration test (pen test) to reveal your organization’s existing and potential vulnerabilities. It involves cybersecurity experts launching simulated and controlled attacks on your IT infrastructure. It allows professionals to identify threats and recommend appropriate IT and cyber security services and solutions for your business.
Schedule Regular Security Audits
Organizations must schedule regular security audits as part of their comprehensive and proactive IT and cybersecurity measures. Such practices are crucial because they help businesses:
- Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities by uncovering weaknesses in systems, applications, and processes that cybercriminals may exploit
- Comply with requirements, such as regulatory and industry standards, to prevent penalties and legal issues
- Safeguard sensitive data, especially customer data, intellectual property, and financial records
- Foster and strengthen trust among stakeholders by improving the organization’s security posture
- Minimize financial losses by identifying and addressing security risks
- Prevent costly data breaches and reduce system downtime
- Strengthen reputation as a compliant organization that prioritizes data security
- Stay ahead of emerging threats by adapting security measures accordingly
Automate Security Updates
Timely installation of software patches and updates is key to preventing cybercrime and malware attacks, as evidenced by the WannaCry incident. For those unaware of this event, it was a widespread, major ransomware attack in 2017, affecting numerous individuals and organizations of all sizes worldwide.
The malware exploited a vulnerability in the Windows operating system. However, many users could have prevented its catastrophic effects by downloading and installing the patch Microsoft released months before the attack.
If your organization does not have a stringent policy on software updates, please implement one as soon as possible. Set all applications in your IT infrastructure to automatically download and install updates and patches.
Partner With a Managed IT Service Provider
Managed IT support services can elevate your organization’s productivity and security. Here are the top ways they can benefit businesses of all sizes.
Cost-Effectiveness
Managed service providers (MSPs) can help reduce IT expenditures by:
- Eliminating or minimizing the need to hire and train in-house IT staff
- Offering predictable monthly costs and pay-as-you-go pricing
- Optimizing IT resources, ensuring your organization uses them efficiently and effectively
Access to Expertise
MSPs consist of a team of IT professionals with specialized knowledge and skills. By partnering with one, your organization gains access to experts in all facets of IT, including but not limited to:
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud computing
- Network management
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Patch management
- Service desk
- Penetration testing
- Enterprise security awareness training
- Dark web monitoring
Proactive IT and Security Management
With an MSP on your team, you can rest easy knowing they’re monitoring your IT infrastructure 24/7. Through round-the-clock monitoring, they can:
- Spot and correct potential issues before they escalate into more catastrophic problems
- Reduce potential downtime
- Provide faster issue resolution
Minimize Risks With IT and Cybersecurity Practices
Requiring IT and cyber security training, investing in threat detection, and partnering with an MSP are among the best practices to safeguard your organization from threats and vulnerabilities. And luckily, you don’t have to do all of these alone.
Our company, EMPIST, is a premier provider of high-quality, reliable, managed IT services. We’ve been doing what we do best for nearly a quarter of a century, and we’ll be happy to empower your business with our managed IT, cybersecurity, web development, and cloud services. Our primary goal is to provide proactive support and strategic planning so that we can help your organization minimize risks and costly downtimes.
Call us today to request your free consultation!