It’s Time To Wake Up To The Reality Of Cyber Security In 2022

All across the world, hackers are targeting and exploiting security weaknesses and holding data hostage. In May, the Colonial Pipeline was hit by a cyber-attack that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for several days. The company – and the FBI – paid hackers $4.4 million in Bitcoin to regain control of the system.

Colonial Pipeline was not the only corporation that paid hackers an exorbitant amount of money. The NBA, Kia Motors, and JBS Foods have also been victimized by cyber-attacks where hackers demanded millions of dollars. CD Projekt RED, a Polish video game developer, was also a victim of a cyber-attack, but since they had backups in place, they never had to pay the demanded ransom.

While these are all big organizations, that does not mean that small businesses are safe. These stories made the news because companies paid millions of dollars to regain control of their data. When a small or mid-size business (SMB) gets attacked, they can’t pay millions of dollars to recover stolen information. Instead, these hackers will usually go after customer and employee information as well as financial records and statements. When a hacker attacks an SMB, it often ends in the business closing its doors for good.

The year 2021 set a record for cyber-attacks, and 2022 is shaping out to be no different. If you’re a business owner, you need to wake up to the reality of cyber threats and cyber security before it’s too late.

Here are a couple of the best cyber security practices you should put into place immediately.

Hire A Managed Services Provider For Your IT Needs

Cyber security awareness has grown over the past five years, but there are still plenty of SMB owners who think there is no need for cyber security measures or that they’re too expensive. The simple truth is that every business can be a victim of cyber-attacks. If you think it’s too expensive to have your own IT team watching over your cyber needs, think again. Hiring an MSP is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to ensure that your network and information are protected.

MSPs can be incredibly beneficial to any business. They’re designed to recognize and fix weak points in your IT infrastructure. MSPs work proactively to ensure that your business is fully protected in the cyberworld. They offer around-the-clock monitoring, data backup and recovery, firewall and network protection, real-time threat prevention and so much more. MSPs provide you with a dedicated team of IT professionals who are available to assist with any IT needs. If you have not looked into hiring an MSP for your business, you need to consider it.

If you’re interested in hiring an MSP or want more information about the benefits, reach out to us and we will assist with any concerns or questions you may have.

Create A cyber-secure Culture

Many cyber-attacks stem from employee error or misunderstanding. You need to make sure that all of your employees are aware of the risks associated with cyber-attacks. When you first hire an employee, train them on cyber security. In addition to this, your current employees should go through a reminder course at least once a year.

You’ll need to inform your employees about the dangers of phishing e-mails and texts, downloading malware, social media scams, and password protection. If you have employees working remotely, you should ensure that their devices have security measures built into them. If your employees are informed about the risks, they will be more observant so they can spot any potential threats. Your entire team needs to buy into the cyber-secure culture if you want your training to be effective.

In today’s day and age, you can never be too careful when it comes to your cyber security. You need to be proactive and put into effect all of the security measures you possibly can. The year 2021 saw cyber-attacks reach new heights, and it’s likely that these numbers will continue to rise even higher this year. Take preventive action and don’t let your business add to the cyber-attack statistics. If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to buffing up your cyber security practices, give us a call, and we will be glad to help.