How To Protect Your Business From Hackers: A Small Guide
When it comes to hacking, data suggests that SMEs and MSMEs are more susceptible to attacks than bigger corporations. This is simply because SMEs and MSMEs have lower security infrastructure in place and are willing to invest a lot less than their bigger counterparts.
If your business is the only way you are sustaining yourself and your family, you need to be prepared against hacking attacks. This will ensure the continued survival of the business and the maintenance of customer databases, financial records, and other transactions.
This article looks at some credible ways of how small businesses can protect themselves against hackers and online attacks. Before we get to the list of strategies, let us first look at why hackers are attracted to such small targets.
Why do Hackers prefer attacking SMEs and MSMEs?
According to leading experts, SMEs and MSMEs are low-risk targets for hackers. In other words, they do not have to sweat a lot or put in too much effort to find security loopholes in gaining access to systems and data for such businesses.
Most of these attacks are done with the intention of ransomware. In this situation, hackers plant ransomware software that shuts down the digital ecosystem of the business forcing it to deposit a sum of money to give back control and access.
If data is to be believed, businesses of such limited knowledge and understanding are more comfortable in handing over money than making such attacks public for fear of greater backlash.
With limited resources, SMEs and MSMEs need to make the best use of their money when it comes to warding off data security attacks, especially since they’re easy targets for hackers. If your company is located in California, it may be in your best interest to use offsite record storage facilities like the ones offered by Corodata. This way, you can make better use of your space, while retaining quick access to your files. Regardless of your company’s size, properly storing records adds intrinsic value to your organization.
5 Ways to Protect your Business from Hackers
1. Investing in the Basic Security Setup-
As a business with limited resources, you do not have to break the bank to put in place the best security infrastructure. All you need to do is go for the best antivirus solutions for all your computer systems, install an SSL certificate on your website and use a secure firewall-protected network. As soon as you do this, the threat perception decreases by almost 50%.
2. Putting in place some Safety-Friendly Habits-
As a small business with up to 50 employees, it is easier for you to teach the employees about some security habits. For example, simple things like going for strong passwords can diminish risks. Additionally, you can teach them to not use personal smartphones and systems to access company files or work on them. Being aware of code signing best practices also help.
3. Get Expert Help on a One-Time Basis-
You do not have to set up a specialized IT team if you do not have the resources. However, you can always work with experts on a one-time project basis. They can help you set up the security protocols, train the employees, update the software and teach you about threat perceptions and security vulnerabilities. All this can go a long way in ensuring optimum levels of security.
4. Work with the Best Internet Services Providers (ISP)-
We cannot do without the internet no matter what scale or size of our business. This is why you need to work with an ISP that can help you with secure network connectivity. This can take a major issue off the table and limit the number of focus areas that you would be required to focus on and concentrate on. Even if you pay a little extra, you should get the best ISP.
5. Work towards Adopting Encryption in Information and Data-
Before you press the back button, let me tell you that encryption is a relatively easy and non-sophisticated method to protect your data and other assets. Encrypting customer information means that it requires hackers to work extra time to engineer a break-in. The process of encryption is easy and can be done on a one-time basis with the help of experts.
The Bottom Line:
While cyberattacks are growing, there is no need that businesses should feel stressed or tensed. Just by paying attention to small details and adopting simple strategies, businesses can ensure that their security is up-to-date. If you have any more questions that you would like us to discuss in greater detail, let us know in the comments below.
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