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Organizations of all sizes need good advice on how to stay safe in an ever-evolving and ever-increasing cyber threat landscape. But small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to take extra precautions because they are still the #1 target of all data breaches.
Why? Because they are increasingly online and dependent on their websites and social media posts to find new customers – and keep current customers coming back to buy. Nearly 80% of SMEs use social media to reach their customers. It’s their lifeline – and it’s their biggest risk because the majority of SMEs know they don’t have the cybersecurity skills in-house to keep them safe.
And if they’re not safe, their customers’ personal information isn’t either: Nearly 90% of all cyber breaches targeting SMEs result in customer data being taken.
That’s bad for business.
So, what essential cybersecurity features should every business put in place to improve their cyber defense?
Here are VikingCloud’s Top 5 Recommendations:
- Protect your devices – your cybersecurity defense plan should start with the basics.
Cyber threats are increasing for computers and other online devices, with SMEs having seen a nearly 40% increase in ransomware attacks on their computers in 2023.
Ensure your devices are updated with the latest anti-virus and anti-malware software – and that you have this first line of defense downloaded on all the connected devices you use to run your business. - Scan your websites – your websites are likely to be your most vulnerable customer-facing assets to malware and cybersecurity attacks.
Malware is on the rise – with a nearly 90% increase in infections plaguing SMEs.
Website scanning sweeps your website for vulnerabilities and malware, so you’re alerted to act when any infections are found. You can’t protect yourself from threats you don’t know about. - Monitor your social media—it’s important to protect your online identity.
Social media is becoming the #1 channel for online fraud; cyber-criminals are drawn to the trove of information and details they need to impersonate your business – like moths to a flame.
Nearly 80% of SMEs use social media to reach their customers. It’s their lifeline – and it’s their biggest risk because the majority of SMEs know they don’t have the cybersecurity skills in-house to keep them safe.
Monitoring social media helps to decrease your risk of online fraud by identifying any rogue profiles impersonating your business’ social media accounts – so you can find and stop fraud and minimize the impact on your business’s reputation and bottom line, quickly and efficiently. - Track the dark web – keep an eye on your personal business information to get ahead of potential cyber threats lurking in the underbelly of the internet.
80% of online data breaches are related to stolen or reused passwords. It’s always easier to get in the proverbial front door of a business with the key that opens it!
Dark web monitoring is designed to lower the risk of cyberattacks on your business with advanced warning of stolen business email addresses, usernames/ passwords, and other personal information on the Dark Web – the area of the Internet that is intentionally hidden from view. - Have a backup plan in place. Data Breach Insurance helps minimize the financial impact on your business.
SMEs pay an average of $16,000 in cyber ransom demands – and have a slew of other costs associated with the aftermath of a cyber breach.
Currently, roughly 50% of SMEs have any sort of cyber breach insurance. As the #1 target of cyber breaches – are those the odds you want to take? Having a cyber incident response plan in place will help your company react to a potential breach.
Having cyber breach insurance will help your company recover – with reduced financial risk by covering a part of your losses.
For more information on this topic, check out our infographic: 5 Essential Cybersecurity Features to Improve Your Cyber Defense
Interested in making your company cyber secure? Contact us today for a free consultation.
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