Cybersecurity risks are a major threat to businesses of all sizes, but small and medium-sized enterprises can be particularly vulnerable. This is because SMEs often lack the resources and expertise to implement and maintain effective cybersecurity measures.
Potential cybersecurity risks can be:
- Web-based attacks: Web-based attacks leverage browsers and their extensions, websites, and components of web-based applications to harvest credentials or confidential data. SMEs should ensure that websites are built securely and with cybersecurity in mind to prevent this kind of attack.
- Ransomware: Ransomware is a particularly devastating kind of cyberattack, involving theft of files and a subsequent ransom demand. SMEs are a particular target for these kinds of attacks as they are less likely to have the resources to pay the ransom or the expertise to recover their data.
- Credential stuffing: Credential stuffing is where an attacker uses a stolen or guessed password to access confidential systems. SMEs are a particular target for these kinds of attacks as they are less likely to have stringent password policies or use multi-factor authentication.
- Trojans: A trojan is a malicious program that disguises itself as a legitimate program. Once installed on a computer, a trojan can steal data, install other malware, or disrupt computer operations. SMEs are a particular target for trojans as they are less likely to have the security measures in place to detect and prevent these attacks.
According to a recent report by Vodafone, only 18% of SMEs have all of the necessary cybersecurity measures in place. Some of the reasons why SMEs may not be taking cybersecurity seriously enough include:
- Lack of awareness: Many SMEs are simply not aware of the cybersecurity risks that they face.
- Lack of resources: SMEs may lack the financial resources and expertise to implement and maintain effective cybersecurity measures.
- Complacency: Some SMEs may believe that they are too small to be a target for cyberattacks.
What Can SMEs Do to Improve Their Cyber Security?
There are a number of steps that SMEs can take to improve their cybersecurity, including:
- Educate staff: Staff should be educated about the cybersecurity risks that they face and how to protect themselves and the business.
- Implement security policies and procedures: Businesses should have clear security policies and procedures in place, and staff should be trained on how to follow them.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: All staff should use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect their accounts.
- Keep software up to date: Software should be kept up to date with the latest security patches.
- Make sure your devices and connectivity are secure: Working with a communications partner to improve cybersecurity provides businesses expertise, customisation, scalability and support. Trinsic Limited helps businesses develop secure solutions tailored to their business.
Find out more about Trinsic’s Management and Security solutions on our website, or get in touch at info@trinsic.co.uk or call 01489 850000.