CybersecurityCybersecurity is an integral part of all enterprises, be it large or small.

Cybercriminals today target businesses of all sizes and industries. Cyberattacks have impacted 22% of small businesses, according to a poll done by the Better Business Bureau. Because small businesses have fewer resources to design and maintain secure networks, they are more vulnerable to data breaches. Small businesses have less secure networks, making it easier to infiltrate the network and lose data in a cyber attack. While larger organizations hold considerably more information to steal, small businesses have less secure networks, making it simpler to penetrate the network and lose data. 

Your small business may need to comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) if you process patient records or PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) if you accept credit cards at your business. Fines and penalties for violating these compliance requirements can be in the tens of thousands and some violations can even land you in jail. 

This is why it is vital to protect your firm against cyberattacks, but many small business owners aren't sure how. Cybersecurity best practices, such as internet security, mobile security, and incident response skills, may help you defend your business and lower the chance of a cyberattack.

How to protect your small business from cyberattacks: 

1. Configure and Update your firewall: 

In the event of a cyberattack, a strong firewall is one of the first lines of defense. One of the most powerful security methods is firewalls, which detect and regulate network traffic and offer a safety net between trusted internal networks and the outside world. Your WiFi network, whether internal or external to consumers, is vulnerable to attack, and even the most secure networks have been shown to include flaws. To improve the stability of your firewall, endpoints, and WiFi network, use a comprehensive strategy.

1. Regularly update and patch your software 

Using obsolete software with easily exploitable flaws, cybercriminals can obtain access to your computer network. Make sure you apply updated patches for applications and operating systems as soon as they become available. The ransomware attacks WannaCry and Petya used Microsoft's Windows Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. With a rapid correction, the epidemic may have been averted, demonstrating the value of patch management in averting cyber assaults. To guarantee that workers don't disregard software update alerts, we advocate creating strict patching guidelines, or better yet, automating patch management to remove the need for human involvement.

2. Find a trustworthy partner who can assist you.

Lack of time and staffing are two major issues that businesses confront when it comes to good cybersecurity. Having a third-party do penetration testing or risk assessments for your organization is crucial for receiving accurate confirmation that your cybersecurity plan is operating and that your personal data is being kept as safe as possible. Security solutions are available for all business sectors, budgets, and sizes. If your company uses the internet, you need a cybersecurity specialist on your team. A competent cyber security company should be all you need to get by.