Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are often more likely to be the target of cyberattacks. Hackers know that SMBs often have limited budgets and prioritize other expenses over cybersecurity, making them attractive targets. To help you secure your Seattle business during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond, we offer the following essential cybersecurity tips that every SMB should implement.
Cybercriminals aren’t deterred by passwords alone. For SMBs, implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) increases the difficulty for hackers trying to break into your system. Whether employees are logging in to email accounts or accessing cloud-based services, MFA requires additional proof of identity — typically a biometric scan or a code sent to their mobile device — before granting access to the system. This makes MFA a crucial defense against phishing attacks and credential theft, as it blunts the effectiveness of stolen credentials.
Outdated software contains unpatched security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to breach your network and access sensitive data.
As much as possible, set your software and operating systems to receive automatic updates. Consider working with a managed services provider (MSP) like Interplay to keep your systems up to date. They can handle the additional workload for your team and prevent compatibility issues because of conflicting updates.
It may come as a surprise, but many successful cyberattacks are the result of employee errors. The most advanced cybersecurity software and strictest authorization protocols can be side-stepped if an employee clicks on the wrong email or downloads a malicious attachment.
Training empowers your staff to spot threats, including phishing emails, and act accordingly. It also helps them develop healthy security habits, such as using strong passwords and handling sensitive data properly. Conducting regular employee training refreshes your team on what they’ve learned and keeps them informed about new threats.
Lost data due to a breach? Victim of a ransomware attack? With updated backups of your critical data and system settings, restoring lost data is a cinch. The more frequently you back up your data, the less you risk losing in the event of a breach. However, backing up all your data at the same frequency may not be cost-effective, so you will likely need to prioritize which data receives more frequent backups.
More than simply having data backups, SMBs should follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep three copies of your data (the original and two backups), store backups on two different types of media (e.g., cloud and external drives), and ensure one backup is off site.
Sadly, no matter how fortified your system is, cybercriminals who are determined enough will always find a way to hack it. That’s why it’s essential to have an incident response plan ready to activate. An effective plan ensures your staff can respond swiftly, accordingly, and efficiently to any breach. The plan delineates how to act, who will act, and what actions will mitigate the attack.
After a breach, minimizing downtime is crucial; the longer the delay in response, the more your company suffers in terms of revenue and reputation because of lost productivity and dissatisfied customers. An MSP like Interplay can assist you in creating a clear and actionable incident response plan, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your staff can swiftly and effectively contain any security incident.
| How much will downtime cost your business? Use Interplay’s handy and easy-to-use downtime calculator. |
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and Seattle SMBs must stay vigilant to protect against these ever-changing risks. Implementing the tips above can significantly strengthen your business’s security posture.
Interplay can help you stay protected in today’s digital landscape. By partnering with our IT experts, you can ensure your systems remain secure while you focus on running your business. Beyond cybersecurity, we also manage your network, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of your IT without the headaches. Contact us today to get started and see how we can protect your business.