10 Biggest Cybersecurity Mistakes of Small Companies:
Hi reader and welcome back to another blog! Today we are going to be discussing why ALL businesses need managed IT Services and not just the big companies. As we know Cybercriminals are capable of highly sophisticated attacks and lots of the time users are not aware it is even happening and it is often neglected cybersecurity practices that enable most breaches. This is especially true when it comes to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).
Often small business owners often deprioritise cybersecurity measures. Sometimes if business owners are trying to grow their small businesses, cybersecurity may seem too expensive. Sometimes owners can also be unaware of the dangers and think they are at a lower risk because they are a small business.
BUT
Small businesses are as much at risk as large corporations. In fact, small businesses can be seen as an attractive target for cybercriminals due to the vulnerabilities and limited security in place.
50% of SMBs have been a victim of some kind of Cyberattack and more than 60% of them go out of business once the attack has taken place.
Cybersecurity measures do not need to be expensive. Most data breaches usually happen as a result of human error. By improving your Cyber hygiene you will be able to reduce the risk of your employees or yourself falling for a victim attack.
Are you making any of the following cyber security mistakes?
The most common mistakes made users don’t even know they are making. See below some of the biggest reasons small businesses fall victim to Cyberattacks.
1. Underestimating the Threat
A prevalent and concerning cybersecurity error made by SMBs is the underestimation of the threat landscape. Numerous business owners mistakenly believe that the size of their company renders it immune to potential threats. However, this is a common misconception.
In reality, cybercriminals frequently view small businesses as vulnerable and appealing targets. They assume that these companies lack the necessary resources or expertise to prevent their attacks. It's crucial to grasp that no business is too small to escape the attention of cybercriminals. Taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity is so important.
2. Neglecting Employee Training
Have you recently conducted cybersecurity training for your employees? Small businesses frequently overlook the importance of cybersecurity training for their staff. Business owners sometimes assume that their employees will inherently exercise caution when navigating the online landscape.
Employees may unintentionally click on malicious links or download files containing malware. Implementing cybersecurity training for your staff serves several vital purposes, including:
Enhancing their ability to identify phishing attempts.
Cultivating an understanding of the significance of strong, secure passwords.
Raising awareness about the various social engineering tactics employed by cybercriminals.
3. Using Weak Passwords
Weak passwords are a common security vulnerability in most small companies. Many users tend to use easily guessable passwords. It is also very common for users to reuse the same password for several accounts. This can leave your company’s information exposed to hackers. Whether this is important information or not so important, it is still private information about your company.
People reuse passwords 64% of the time.
Encourage your team to use strong, unique passwords. We would highly recommend using a multi-factor authenticator (MFA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security.
Our engineers here at Kiwi when creating an account or setting a new password use websites such as:
https://www.dinopass.com/
We know it is a lot easier to remember your password when it is always the same however, it puts your accounts at a huge risk. To prevent you from forgetting your password there are portals you can use that store your account’s usernames and passwords. Make sure to do your research before putting all your personal details into a portal and make sure it is a trusted source and definitely put MFA on it.
4. Ignoring Software Updates
This is one of the most important factors when it comes to keeping your cybersecurity safe. Failing to keep your software and operating systems up to date will leave your equipment insecure. If you are using a Windows machine and you need help updating specific programs please go to the menu on our website, click support, and then support docs, we have documents to explain how to update the most commonly used applications to avoid viruses.
Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software to gain access to your systems. Not too long ago there was a new 0day vulnerability “WebP” that was found which affects Web browsers and applications like Microsoft Teams and Outlook. This vulnerability was given the maximum CVE rating of 10.0. We advised all our customers to make sure they had every application up to date and certainly their PC.
5. Lacking a Data Backup Plan
Some companies may not have a process for a data backup or recovery plan. It could be assumed that smaller companies do not need one as data loss won’t happen to them but this can happen to anyone!
6. No Formal Security Policies
It is very common for small businesses to operate without any clear policies or procedures. With no clear and enforceable security policies, employees may not understand how critical it is to know how to handle sensitive data or how to use company devices securely, or respond to security incidents.
Small businesses should establish a formal security policy and procedures. As well as share them with employees. These cyber security policies should cover the below:
Password management
Data handling
Incident Reporting
Remote work security
Any other security measures that are in place.
7. Ignoring Mobile Security
Mobile devices are becoming the chosen way to communicate on the go and even in the office, which means businesses should be upping their mobile security, now more than ever. mobile security is increasingly important.
8. Failing to Regularly Watch Networks
Some businesses may not have IT staff to watch their networks for suspicious activities which can result in a delayed detection of security breaches. You wouldn’t walk outside without your clothes on so why would you not add that layer of security to your networks?
Having an IT team to check your networks regularly will make sure you are safe at all times. Contact Kiwi to find out more.
9. No Incident Response Plan
When up close to a cybersecurity incident, businesses without a response plan may panic. They can also respond ineffectively because they are in a rush or a panic.
Having an incident response plan is a great way to be prepared for any problem that may occur, especially when it comes to your IT. With an IT support company right by your side, you will always be protected and prepared for anything that may come your way.
10. Thinking Managed IT Services is not needed
Cyber attacks are continually evolving and are becoming more clever than businesses can keep up with. New attack techniques are emerging on a regular basis and are getting harder to spot. However, lots of small businesses think they are “too small” to pay for managed IT Services.
Managed IT Services with Kkiwi come in all package sizes. This includes those designed for small business budgets. A managed service provider (MSP) like ourselves here at Kiwi can keep your business safe from cyberattacks. As well as save you money at the same time by looking after your IT.
See how Kiwi can help. Our Managed IT Services could save you the risk of losing your business because of a Cyberattack because of human error.
Give us a call and we will arrange a meeting with our experienced IT team.