Cybersecurity Defensive Stance Protects Small Business Computers

Cybersecurity Defensive Stance Protects Small Business Computers

I guess if you’re going to be a criminal, choosing the weakest people and situations to prey on seems the Cybersecurity Defensive Stance Protects Small Business Computersmost logical. In fact, this is the current trend for cybercriminals: to prey on small businesses.

According to a report from Verizon, of all the sizes of businesses in the economy, small businesses continue to be the most victimized. In 2012, Verizon recorded and verified 621 data breaches with approximately half of the breaches occurring at companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. Of the 621, 193 of the incidents were at companies with fewer than 100 workers.

Unfortunately over the past 6 years, small business cyberattacks have been running rampant, making it a trend in the world of cybercrime. Because larger corporations have taken such a defensive stance against cybercrime by utilizing sophisticated security strategies, cybercriminals are forced to look for other ways to lie, cheat and steal.

Small businesses usually don’t have the budget for big IT departments or to protect every computer used by the business, so cybercriminals are taking the path of least resistance and attacking small businesses. This is rather scary, seeing as though small businesses usually retain valuable information such as credit card numbers.

What are small businesses to do?

I think the first step is to become educated about the tactics cybercriminals are using to attack small businesses. Let’s start now. Here are some of the most common tactics used against small businesses by cybercriminals:

  1. Small Businesses as Stepping Stones: Cybercriminals target small businesses in growth industries and then patiently wait, hoping the small business will be acquired by a larger corporation. When the merger or acquisition takes place, cybercriminals gain access to breach the system of the larger parent company.
  2. “Ransomware” Scams: Cybercriminals hack into a small business’ computer system and lock it, demanding a ransom fee from the small business to unlock their system.
  3. Malicious Software: Cybercrinimals use this to steal information from mobile devices.
  4. Malware: Cybercriminals use a small business’ website as bait to gain access to the larger company’s database.

The next step is to use these tactics to create an individualized plan-of-defense, based on the niche of the small business. Before a detailed plan-of-defense is formulated, some good rules of thumb are to:

  • Create and use strong passwords by including capital and lowercase letters interspersed with symbols;
  • Keep antivirus software up-to-date at all times; and
  • Do not expose essential business services to the Internet.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/22/smallbusiness/small-business-cybercrime/index.html?iid=EL

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3