Keeping business data and devices secure has become much more complicated over the last 15+ years. When business technology first became prevalent, putting an antivirus in place on a computer was the main protective strategy.
But cyberattacks have become much more sophisticated since those early days of IT, and our use of technology has broadened. We now connect to the cloud and remote assets regularly, and mobile devices make up much of the daily workflow.
New forms of malware have also emerged, such as ransomware, putting small and mid-sized businesses in DFW and around the country at higher risk. Statistics show that 60% of small businesses that experience a data breach end up closing their doors permanently due to the costs.
Good cybersecurity strategies now encompass multiple layers of protection, which include things like:
- Device/endpoint security
- Cloud security
- Password/identity security
- Mobile device management
- Network monitoring
- Antivirus/anti-malware
- Firewalls with advanced threat protection (ATP)
- Virtual private network (VPN)
- And more
Businesses of all sizes also must worry about compliance with data privacy regulations. One breach can mean thousands in penalties due to HIPAA or another data protection standard.
You don’t have to be a large enterprise company to properly protect yourself from a breach, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. SMBs can significantly increase their level of protection affordably by avoiding some of the common pitfalls users tend to make when it comes to IT security.
The Sophos 2021 Threat Report, which looked at data breaches in 2020, stated, “A lack of attention to one or more aspects of basic security hygiene has been found to be at the root cause of many of the most damaging attacks.”
Common IT Security Mistakes You Want to Avoid
Not Activating Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is one of the strongest password protections you can deploy, yet many SMBs don’t use it. They may be afraid that it’s going to be inconvenient. Others may think they don’t need it because they’re a smaller business.
But SMBs are often targeted even more than larger companies by hackers, expressly because they don’t do things like enable MFA or other recommended security protocols.
Microsoft states that its cloud services see 300 million fraudulent sign-in attempts per day and that the thing that stops 99.9% of them from succeeding is multi-factor authentication.
You can stop nearly all account takeovers and password breaches by implementing MFA for all your company logins. To streamline the process, you can put a single sign-on (SSO) application in place that allows for one login to enable access to multiple cloud accounts.
Not Requiring Secure Internet Connections to Access Business Data
Do you know what network all your employees use to connect to their email or log in to their business apps? A common pitfall for SMBs is having a breach of data due to an unsecured network.
If you have an employee logging in from a public network, they might not even realize a hacker is on the same Wi-Fi, silently using hacking software to spy on their session and steal data.
66% of SMB employees connect to public Wi-Fi to do work.
You can ensure that all employee internet connections are secure, no matter where they may be working, by using a business VPN. A virtual private network application encrypts all internet connections by directing them through a VPN server. This keeps data secure, even if someone is logging into a business app on a public hotspot.
Lack of Mobile/Endpoint Device Management
A majority of employees (67%) use personal devices for work. But many SMB business owners don’t track them or even know if they have basic security applied to them.
One malicious mobile app an employee downloads for personal use can end up infecting your entire network if they use that device to access work applications.
It’s important to use an endpoint device management application (such as Microsoft Intune), that tracks all device access to company accounts and assets. This allows you to enact important cybersecurity protections, such as:
- Automatic update management
- Global device security policies
- Block non-approved devices from accessing business data
- Monitor device access for any suspicious activity
- Remotely lock/wipe a stolen or lost mobile device
- Remotely revoke or grant access to an endpoint
Not Training Your Staff on Cybersecurity Awareness
Most cyberattacks are directed at your employees in the form of phishing emails. Phishing is responsible for most data breaches, ransomware infections, and other security incidents.
Employee cybersecurity awareness training shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s important to have an ongoing training plan in place that helps employees keep their phishing identification skills sharps and trains them on other aspects of good cyber hygiene, like password security and data privacy compliance.
Thinking You Can Handle Cybersecurity Yourself
Many SMBs try to do as much as possible themselves to keep their overhead low. But some DIY activities can cost you more than working with an outside professional.
One of these is trying to handle your cybersecurity on your own. IT security has become more sophisticated as technology and attacks have evolved. If you aren’t a professional, you can end up both spending too much and not having the full protection you need.
It’s important to work with a managed services professional that’s an expert and can provide affordable packages to ensure your data, devices, and network is well protected.
Protect Your Business Easily & Affordably!
Leverage IT Group can help your DFW area business put strong cybersecurity protections in place to avoid a costly data breach or malware infection.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call (469) 458-0559 or reach us online.