Many small businesses rely on operating systems, software applications and networks to conduct their day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, small businesses are often an attractive target in the eyes of hackers due to the lack of security infrastructure that larger businesses possess.
A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) survey revealed that 88 percent of small business owners felt their business was vulnerable to a cyberattack. Understanding why a small business is at risk is the best way to protect the company and its employees.
How Small Businesses Are Vulnerable To Cybercrime?
1. Insufficient Online Security System
Your workplace might be at risk of cybersecurity threats if you aren’t using an industry-leading protection system. Even if you have a security system in place, it may be strong enough to tackle the threats you could potentially encounter. Look for a specific small business antivirus that can lock down infected devices to stop threats in their tracks.
Using an efficient antivirus system keeps your company’s computers safe, whether you’re working in the office or working remotely. You can compare different plans to determine which one best suits your company’s unique needs.
2. Lack of Training
Not investing enough time, resources, and money into training your employees about cybersecurity threats and prevention can also increase your vulnerability. Introduce training sessions to teach your small business how to tackle cybersecurity threats as they occur.
When you introduce mandatory training sessions, your employees will spend more time learning about how to protect the company, even in a hybrid or work-from-home environment.
3. Inability to Identify Threats
You or your team members might be unable to identify cybersecurity threats due to a lack of knowledge or training. You can solve this issue by inviting industry leaders specializing in cybersecurity as guest speakers to share their expertise with your team.
Another way to identify threats is by creating a list of the different cybersecurity risks and encouraging your staff members to become familiar with how they can look. This includes identifying red flags in emails, suspicious links, and multi-factor authentication.
4. Poor Investment in Cybersecurity
Using a basic security system isn’t sufficient when attempting to protect your business from threats. An extensive system may be pricey, but it can save you from substantial costs in the long term. Small businesses often have a tough time recovering from significant cybersecurity threats due to their lack of funds. So, it is better to invest in prevention before the problem occurs.
5. Not Complying with State & Federal Regulations
Some states offer unique opportunities for small businesses to improve their security service by implementing specific regulations. For example, the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a federal measure to protect the defense industrial base from increasingly frequent and complex cyberattacks.
Although this requirement may seem overwhelming, following this guideline or similar regulations can encourage small businesses to focus on cybersecurity and address potential threats.
Implementing the right solutions will reduce cybersecurity risk for many small businesses. Whether your business is old or new, investing in its protection will allow you to maintain its credibility and keep it safe for years ahead.