“I’m not a target; it won’t happen to me.” These are the words most individuals and small businesses probably say when they think about cybersecurity if they even think about it. Most small businesses think that cybercriminals and hackers are going to go after the big prizes, like banks and financial institutions, huge retail conglomerates, or secret government systems. Large profile hacks of Yahoo, Sony, Equifax, and Target seem to support this conclusion, but the news doesn’t always cover the mundane, daily threats inherent in today’s connected world. With recent trends in cybercrime, however, there has never been more reason to be worried about cybersecurity.
With the rise in ransomware, a small business’ vital data could easily be encrypted and “ransomed” for a small fee. This particular malware can enter a company’s intranet in any number of ways, but the most common is easily through simple phishing attacks, where an attacker sends malware in some sort of benign email. Untrained employees who aren’t concerned about security may click on a malicious link or download a malicious file, and the attacker is in the network. While most companies may be utilizing cloud storage, locally saved files may be threatened. Ransomware has cost large companies with robust cybersecurity programs millions of dollars, and small businesses are no exception. If an attacker can ransom 100 companies at even the relatively paltry sum of $500, that’s a healthy payday, and the global reach of today’s cybercriminals makes that an insignificant number. Leaving cybersecurity out of a company’s business plan is essentially akin to leaving one’s car door unlocked in the middle of a city. It’s inviting crime.
With even a little bit of interest, a company can take steps to harden itself against these sorts of attacks. There are a plethora of reputable cybersecurity consulting firms or contracting companies who can help you take steps to secure your small business. It’s an unfortunate reality of the world we live in that this is a constant threat, but your goal as a small business owner is to make a cybercriminal move on to the next company. You need to worry about cybersecurity so that a hacker doesn’t take what you’ve built.
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This has been a JBF Business Media production.