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

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.