Small Business Cyber Security

Posted by mctracy On March 28, 2022

In the wake of warnings from the FBI, DHS, and CISA regarding potential cyber-attacks following the invasion of Ukraine, not only should large corporations be on the lookout, but small local businesses should be wary as well.

“The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a Shields Up cyber security alert for anyone in the US in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The nation’s cyber defense agency reports that evolving intelligence indicates that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks.” (Small Business Trends).

The amount of small businesses in the US, and the size of those businesses, leaves the US vulnerable to cyber attack.

“Even though government-sponsored attacks are gaining public attention, cyberattacks from independent actors or groups are always a concern for small to midsize businesses. Factors like budget and IT staff limitations can leave small businesses more vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Small Business Administration reported there were 32.5 million small businesses in the US as of 2021.” (CNet).

There are a multitude of steps that small businesses should take to ensure that their company does not undergo cybercriminal activity.

“Small businesses should take steps to quickly detect a potential intrusion. Such steps should include ensuring cybersecurity/IT personnel are focused on identifying and quickly assessing any unexpected or unusual network behavior. Businesses should also confirm that their entire network is protected by antivirus/antimalware software and that signatures in these tools are updated.” (Small Business Trends).

All employees should be aware of the threat and proactive in preventing cyber security breaches.

“Cybersecurity is a team effort. Make sure your employees create strong passwords and reset them on a regular schedule. Employees should be aware of red flags that indicate phishing emails and malicious files, as well as have an action plan in the event that an attack happens. It's also important to keep devices, software and browsers up to date. The FCC suggests establishing clear guidelines for internet use, how to best handle customer data, as well as penalties for violating those policies.” (CNet).

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Sources:

Small Business Trends. https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/03/shields-up-alert-for-cyber-security-awareness.html

CNet. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/5-cybersecurity-tips-for-small-business-owners/