We’ve said it time and time again; today’s cyber criminals use advanced technology to break through your data protection. These malicious tools are more sophisticated than ever. New software developments enable criminals to cast wider nets, allowing them to target businesses that would have flown under their radar. Vicious hackers infiltrate and attack companies every day.
Business owners cut costs and corners on their data protection. When you’ve never had a breach, data security can seem like a distant concern. Regardless of which digital barriers you put in place to protect your business, you can bet on one thing: one day, your security will be tested by an attack. If a hacker gets past your security, your company could go out of business. According to the Denver Post, 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyber-attack.
If you’re struggling to stay afloat or you want to be a savvy spender, you may think the best way to increase your data protection is to put one of your staff on the task, or to do it yourself.
Sure, your team can spend hours researching for inexpensive security. You’ll find something cheap with good reviews and a decent track record. You’ll install the software across your system, complete with firewalls, server protection, antivirus and more. Perhaps you’ll even hold a meeting to educate your staff on the do’s and don’ts of cyber security. “Use intricately constructed passwords,” you’ll tell them. “Don’t click suspicious links in your e-mail.”
After a few days of fiddling with settings and ensuring the security software is properly in place, you’ll forget about it altogether. After all, it’s already installed, and you’ve checked to make sure there aren’t any gaps in the system. It’s not something you need to constantly monitor.
A year later, your business miraculously doubled in size. You’re finally reaping profits. Best of all, a recent news story has brought your company into the public eye, and brand-new leads contact you every day. For the first time in a while, you can breathe easy
“Cyber security is clearly a concern that the entire business community shares, but it represents an especially pernicious threat to smaller businesses,” wrote the Securities and Exchange Commission in a 2015 report. “The reason is simple: small and midsize businesses are not just targets of cybercrime; they are its principal target.”
Then, one Monday morning, you log in to your computer. For a second, everything seems normal, until an innocent-looking pop-up fills your screen. “Attention!” an eerie robotic voice barks from your speakers. “Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted!”
Thinking it’s a hoax, you click into your server drive. To your dismay, you are locked out. So, palms sweating, you read the rest of the pop-up. It gives you instructions to install the deep web browser Tor as well as an address for you to visit. When you go there, you learn that you’ll need to dish out $50,000 in Bitcoin, to recover all your data, including the credit card information of your customers.
A year ago, you couldn’t afford adequate cyber security. Can you afford $50,000 in cash today?
Don’t Skimp On Your Data Protection
Every day, situations identical to these happen to people exactly like you. In April, CNBC reported that in 12 months, malicious hackers infiltrated half of all small businesses. Cheapo security solutions are fine for surfing the web at home, but they are shockingly inadequate resources on which to base the entire success of your company, your livelihood and the livelihood of your employees. Remember, data protection is key when you deal with personal information.
It is irresponsible to lock your data behind a flimsy firewall. Invest in cyber security solutions that will offer you complete data protection, and secure the future of your company. If you would like more information on how to secure your network, call us today!
