Small businesses face some unique challenges when it comes to cyber security. However, the most prominent is actually taking steps to protect your business in the first place. With a growing threat of hacking and data theft now becoming severe in almost every area of life, there are a few things you must do if you want to protect your business in the best possible way. Let’s take a closer look at some of your options.

 

Lack of investment or resources

The reality for many small businesses is that cyber security is a low priority – especially when you have few resources going spare. The trouble is that the vast majority of risks posed by malware and hacking are created just for businesses like these – and it only takes one significant attack and you will be unable to recover. The remediation costs can be huge, and that’s before we even mention the reputational damage, loss of business and cost of legal help that tends to come after a cyber security incident. Sure, you need to cut costs and run a tight ship as a small business – but cyber security is not the area to skimp on.

 

Lack of expertise

As IT company Frontline point out, the technology you use to run your business is complex and time consuming. Unless you can invest heavily in resources and real expertise, you run the risk of someone breaking into your system. Look for experienced, third party providers who can take all the risk away from you in one stroke, leaving you with more time on your hands to grow your business without fear of a cyber security incident.

 

Untrained staff

The people that work for you are always going to be be your greatest asset. But you also have to understand they can be your biggest cyber security risk, too. All it takes is a simple click on a nefarious link by an employee and your network can be compromised. The ultimate result of that will be a hacker wreaking havoc and spelling disaster for your business. Ensure your employees are trained properly in online security, best practices, and safe standards.

 

No back-ups

Because of the ever-increasing threats of hackers, malware and ransomware, businesses must always ensure regular and secure back-ups of their systems and data. More businesses experience a ransomware attack s the years go by, and this is a significant issue you cannot ignore. Regularly backing up your data means you won’t lose everything on your system. Safeguard your backup by storing it offline, preferably in a secure location and disconnect them while they are not in use.

 

Out of date software

Finally, make sure you are keeping your systems up to date. This should include every single piece of software you use in the workplace. Your systems are incredibly vulnerable unless they are kept in good shape by the very latest security updates. Look out for software providers releasing patches and updates for their products to correct security concerns and improve functionality.