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The State of Business Security
The State of Business Security
With data leaks in the headlines every month and thousands of unreported scams hitting smaller targets, what is the state of business security?
Cyber crime is on the rise. Small businesses around the world spend millions of dollars a year repairing the damage caused by cyber crime. From malware to phishing and web-based attacks, it seems like there’s a new scam to worry about every day.
Why do businesses get hacked?
The responsibility for cyber crime taking off is a very grey area, with both hackers and businesses themselves playing a part.
In our digitally connected world, it’s a lot easier and more lucrative to skim the credit card details of 1000 people and sell them on than it is to perform physical acts of theft. Hackers are tenacious and looking to take advantage of easy targets.
While it’s never appropriate to blame the victim of a crime, it’s important to realize that a lot of businesses aren’t doing everything they can to protect themselves. Small businesses might seem like a less obvious target than the likes of Sony or TalkTalk but in reality, they suffer nearly as many attacks as large enterprises – and those attacks cost more.
“Attacks on small and medium-sized businesses are remarkably common as their security tends to be less sophisticated, making them easy prey,” says Walter Rossi, of IT consultancy Daisy Group. “They are usually targeted by those aiming to steal their customers’ bank details, blackmail them, or to use them as a ‘back door’ to get into larger organizations.”
Maintaining basic security just isn’t enough to protect yourself. Only having an antivirus program running and not encrypting sensitive data is like locking your front door but leaving the ground floor window wide open.
What’s next for business security?
Business security can only progress and continue to defend against ever more devious cyber criminals through innovative technology, cooperation and the free sharing of knowledge. What’s required is a combination of people, technology and policy working together to put up a united front against cyber crime.
The best defense begins with the education of staff. Clearly defined and easy to understand security guidelines might not turn everyone into an IT expert but it could be the difference between someone responding to a phishing attack or ignoring the email.
Secondly, business leaders need to step up and be ready to bolster their networks and devices against the threat of cyber crime. From establishing cyber attack response teams to ensuring IT systems and networks are patched and protected at all times. This should be the new normal.
Whether you’re a business of five people or you have an office on every continent, utilizing the best security and resources you can will help to keep your financial data and customer information safe.
Additionally, it’ll take governments from all over the world to adopt a more holistic approach to fighting cyber crime. For example, if North Korean hackers are attacking Sony in America then a united approach to tackling the problem of international cyber gangs is necessary.
Tech Check offers custom solutions to small businesses to protect their data and make sure their networks are fully operational and secure.