Digital security is of critical importance to companies of all sizes. You may feel that your burgeoning business isn’t large enough to attract the eye of major cyber criminals, but that complacency is just what those criminals rely on. Small businesses have a smaller infrastructure in place, yet they still need to meet modern challenges. Here are a few reasons why digital security isn’t an area you can afford to ignore.
Your Employees Are a Major Weak Point
In the early days of small-business development, you may not have an organized training program for onboarding new employees. In fact, the convenience of cloud computing means that many businesses operate entirely outside of the office. You can eliminate the expense of a traditional workspace by hiring remote employees and sharing documents in the cloud. While this offers outstanding convenience, it’s not without its risks.
Make sure your employees are well-educated on the potential for serious security threats. Require they use a VPN to secure and encrypt communications. Clearly outline the proper storage and security measures for your data to make sure sensitive documents are stored on the right drive with proper security. Backup all your information regularly so you’re not vulnerable to ransomware attacks threatening to keep your data from you.
SMB Information is Enticing to Criminals
If you think that you’re safe from data theft because you don’t have enough information to draw criminal attention, you’re making a dangerous assumption. Any successful small business today holds a wealth of valuable data from proprietary product information to customers’ financial information. Small businesses are often more enticing to cyber criminals because their limited security measures make them an easier mark.
Though implementing thorough security measures is time-consuming and costly, it’s not nearly as challenging as the recovery you’ll undergo if you fall victim to an attack. While a major retailer like Target may have enough customer loyalty and financial strength to weather the storm and emerge on the other side, this isn’t true of many small businesses. A single breach could ruin your credibility beyond repair.
Detection is More Critical Than Ever
Standard security measures are crucial, but detection is growing rapidly in importance. It’s nearly impossible to protect yourself from every possible security threat, because hackers are evolving as quickly as the defense mechanisms used to battle them. Small businesses can’t afford to rely purely on defensive strategies. They need a well-rounded selection of security practices to keep them safe.
You should move toward combined defense and detection solutions, like next-generation firewalls. These offer the safety of a firewall along with packet inspection and filtering. Intrusion prevention features are designed to alert security managers of a potential threat so they can inspect the source and respond promptly.
Keep digital security high on your list of priorities to ensure that your customers, products, and employees are all safe within your virtual walls. Smart security tactics now could save your business from ruin if you catch the eye of a cyber criminal in today’s increasingly dangerous landscape.
