Cybersecurity: What Every Business Owner Should Know

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If you have a small business, you want to stay protected from cyberattacks. Stay informed with expert advice from cybersecurity experts who serve New York and New Jersey. Discover essential cybersecurity insights for small business owners in this cybersecurity guide from Tekie Geek.

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The Reality of the Current Threat Landscape

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Often, a cyberattack will include a ransom for a small business to regain use of its IT system. But did you know that the cost of cybercrime downtime is typically higher than the ransom itself? Whether a small business is looking to secure its technology by moving to cloud computing or using email protection programs, cybersecurity should be part of the plan.

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Cyber Threats Facing Small Business Owners

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Almost all small businesses will encounter cybercrime at some point. It’s not a question of if, but when it will happen. Incidents involving cybersecurity threats have surged among small businesses. While that is an alarming reality, there is no need to panic. There are proactive steps you can take to protect your small business and achieve peace of mind.

First, small business owners need to know what threats to be aware of, including:

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Malware

This term describes software that is intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, or network. Examples of malware include viruses and ransomware.

Viruses

A virus is a program designed to spread from computer to computer, like a disease. Viruses are used to gain access to a system to cause damage, which can be irreparable. Make sure all devices have computer virus protection to avoid this kind of malware.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of harmful software. It threatens to reveal sensitive data or prevent access to your files and systems until you pay a ransom payment within a set amount of time. Failure to pay a ransom on time can result in data leaks or irreversible data loss.

Phishing/Email Compromise

Phishing is a type of cybercrime that involves a hacker impersonating a legitimate person or company. This normally happens through emails or other methods, like texting. Malicious actors employ phishing to send links or attachments, which can be used to steal login credentials or install viruses on equipment.

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

A business email compromise (BEC) is a scam that is similar to phishing. It involves cybercriminals using compromised email accounts, tricking victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. Threats like this make email protection crucial for a business’s cybersecurity plan.

Spyware

Spyware is another form of malware that gathers information and distributes it to others without consent. However, there are legitimate spyware programs that are used for commercial purposes, like advertising data collected by social media.

Insider Threats

An insider threat comes from within a company, such as a current or former employee, vendor, or other business partner. The bad actor would have access to important corporate data or computer systems. Insider threats are hard to detect, as they emerge from within and are not always intentionally malicious.

DoS and DDoS Attacks

Denial-of-service (DoS) and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are widespread and easy to carry out. When a DoS or DDoS attack occurs, hackers flood the targeted system with repeated data requests. This forces the system to slow down, crash, or shut down completely.

If you are still unsure whether you should be concerned about these sophisticated threats or not, the following data breach statistics might help you to decide:

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Implementing Security Measures at Small Businesses

There are many cybersecurity measures small businesses can take. These should include:

Strict Password Policies and Management Tools

A strict password policy and the use of a proper password management solution can help improve cybersecurity for small businesses. Passwords are the first line of defense for cybercriminals, so enforce password changes every 60 to 90 days. Passwords should combine upper case and lower case letters, numbers, and some sort of character. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to hack.

Strong Identity Controls

To combat cyber threats, strong identity controls that go beyond traditional username-password logins are required. Small businesses should consider using multifactor authentication/two-factor authentication (MFA/2FA), which includes features such as one-time passwords (OTPs) and security questions or confirmations.

Control Physical Access

Laptops are an easy target for theft, so prevent access and use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Have employees lock their computers when they are unattended, even at home. Make sure each employee has a unique user account and strong password. Ensure administrative privileges are given only to trusted IT staff and authorized personnel.

Firewall Protection

A firewall is a set of programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. A firewall can be enabled by an in-house IT department, and there are free software options available online. If you have employees who work remotely, make sure their home internet system is protected by a firewall.

Regular Risk Assessment

A small business should regularly be looking for risks within its system. This can include detection, estimation, and prioritization of risks to an organization’s users, assets, and even operations. Get in touch with Tekie Geek to learn about our cybersecurity risk assessment.

Secure Wi-Fi Networks

Make sure Wi-Fi networks are secure, encrypted, and hidden. To hide a Wi-Fi network, set up the wireless access point or router so it doesn’t broadcast the network name, known as the service set identifier (SSID). Add password protection to access the router.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

To avoid a security breach, you should set up a corporate VPN that encrypts all your network connections. Make sure employees test their VPNs in their locations to avoid any future hassles.

Business Continuity Strategy

When disaster hits, a solid small business continuity strategy ensures that mission-critical operations can continue uninterrupted. All IT systems, software, and applications should always remain accessible and recoverable. Having a strategy in place can limit the downtime when a cyberattack hits.

Mobile Device Action Plan

More employees are using mobile devices for work these days. However, mobile devices can create challenges when it comes to security. To combat these challenges, mobile device users should:

Small businesses should also set up reporting procedures for lost or stolen equipment.

Backups for Important Data

Make a plan to regularly take data security actions and back up data on all computers and electronic devices. Critical data can include:

If possible, automate when the backups happen, and store copies offsite or in the cloud.

Continual Security Awareness Training

Continuous security training empowers employees to recognize and identify complex cyber threats. Once they know what to look for, employees can take appropriate action, resulting in a transformed culture of cybersecurity within your organization.

Let Tekie Geek Be Your Cybersecurity Superhero

If you’re ready to take steps to strengthen the cybersecurity on your network, but don’t know where to start, Tekie Geek is here to help. Our team includes IT superheroes from all walks of life who share a passion for IT security for small businesses.

We have been around since 2013, providing information technology services to the New York and New Jersey area. What started as a one-man managed service provider turned into a company offering a wide range of technology services, including the following:

For companies interested in learning more about the IT services we offer, contact us today to schedule a consultation with your very own Tekie Geek superhero.

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