Scenario: You own a small business. It’s payday. You’re responsible for the livelihood of a couple hundred employees. You log into your business accounts, and BAM! Zero balance. You panic, rightfully so. This would not only be heartbreaking for your employees and their families, but it’s also a detriment to the reputation of your business.
Cyber criminals target vulnerable companies.
Predators prefer vulnerable prey, and to a cyber villain, a small business (up to 250 employees) looks like a fawn with a broken leg. Cyber attacks targeting small business have more than doubled since 2011, from 18% to a shocking 43%, according to Symantec’s 2016 Internet Security Threat Report. This equals to about 1 in 40 small businesses that are likely to fall victim to phishing, ransomware, or malware. Yikes!
Cyber criminals are specifically targeting employees and any other guests with devices that are connected to a company’s hacked network. Smartphones and wearables are susceptible to ransomware, which hijack your data and hold it hostage for a sum of money. It’s a dirty business, but it’s not going anywhere, which means it’s time to mitigate threats before they become a problem. It’s also wise to limit who has access to your network.
Cyber criminals are not targeting specific industries.
Everyone is fair game, because it’s usually for a simple cause…money. Some speculate the rise in attacks on small business is because larger companies are more likely to have already ramped up their firewalls, or partnered with IT companies. Small businesses should take the hint. The biggest mistake that you can make is to assume it will never happen to you. That kind of an attitude in an increasingly digital world can cost you thousands, or millions.
The best course of action is to consult with the experts. IT professionals know how to get inside the IT criminal mind. They keep up with the ever-evolving intricacies of internet crime so that you can focus on growing your business and making money.
The cost of falling victim to cyber-crime is much higher than the investment in peace of mind.
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