It’s an urban myth that you are ‘too small to be hacked’. In fact, small and mid-size businesses are some of the most lucrative targets for cybercriminals. Studies say that nearly two-thirds of malware attack victims are Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs)!
What’s the difference between enterprise IT and SMB systems? Scale.
According to conventional logic, enterprises are bigger pots of gold and should be more at risk. Indeed, they have to defend against far more attacks. However, Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) present easier and more lucrative targets; thus attacks are much more common, something we see first-hand as a provider of IT services in Mississauga.
So why are Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) so much more vulnerable to attack?
- Lack of a holistic security apparatus and policies.
- Inability to update software systematically and respond to cyber threats in real-time.
- Reliance on web-driven software for communication and storage which makes them vulnerable to socially engineered attacks (said to have a greater than 50 percent rate of success).
- Inadequate data back-up services and disaster recovery, making them vulnerable to extortion.
There are also insider issues and non-adherence to best practices, such as two-factor authentication.
Patching, updating and securing systems are essential and ongoing IT tasks. If these are not performed regularly less sophisticated attackers can exploit previously discovered weaknesses too.
Remember, an attacker is looking to extract value from the company.
Dedicated IT Services in Mississauga
A somewhat ironic misconception that is heard all too often is that IT services are a non-profit-producing investment. Any small business owner who has worked with the government, with national and multinational enterprises will know the depth and detail to which contracts will outline cybersecurity requirements.
In fact, companies with inadequate IT consulting firms are culled at the first round of assessment itself. Just imagine a small vendor being hacked, the IP it was holding for its contractual partner being stolen and then being sold openly on the black market for half the price. It’s these kinds of things that can destroy reputations – and why established entities will never work with a SMB vendor that does not have.
Risks of an interconnected world
The impact of a Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) getting hacked is now no less significant than a large-scale data breach. Why? Because the global economy today is electronically and contractually intertwined.
One breach for even a small business can have large scale data privacy and security ramifications for its customers and clients. Sensitive contract details may be stolen, trade secrets may be compromised – all of it information that doesn’t even belong to the SMB. It why expert IT consulting in Mississauga is indispensable.
What should SMBs do?
For a small and mid-size businesses it is not always feasible to pump resources into extensive in-house IT infrastructure and personnel.
What can you do as a business owner? Hire a firm for IT consulting in Mississauga. Here are some benefits of outsourcing your needs to IT consulting firms:
- Enterprise level services at a very reasonable monthly cost.
- Holistic cyber security strategy and disaster recovery.
- Training for your employees in responsible data handling practices.
- IT experts ensuring your business’ integrity in real time.
If your business is reliant on technology for its operation – as most are – preparing IT services responsibly is a must.
NUMENTIS is an MSP offering managed IT services in the Mississauga area. As the world becomes more reliant on digital technology, it’s important that your business has the reliable and secure technology solutions your customers and workers need. For an IT consulting firm and service provider that you can trust, contact NUMENTIS and discover the IT solutions you need to support your business.
Sources:
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3192854/smbs-continue-to-be-a-target-of-cybercriminals.html
https://community.connection.com/cyber-security-2019-landscape-5-things-smb-leaders-need-know/
https://www.bluefin.com/bluefin-news/small-business-breaches-hackers-see-smbs-quick-easy-target/
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/security/small-mighty-threat.pdf
