How to protect your small business from a cyberattack
As a small business owner, you are constantly managing a variety of risks. One of these risks is the threat of a cyberattack. While large businesses make headlines when they are hit by a cyberattack, small businesses are also increasingly targeted by cyber criminals. In fact, according to a report from the National Cyber Security Alliance, 43 percent of cyber attacks target small businesses.
There are a number of steps you can take to protect your small business from a cyberattack, including:
- Keep your software and operating system up to date. Cyber criminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to gain access to systems. By keeping your software and operating system up to date, you can help close these potential entry points.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Strong passwords are one of the most important defense against cyberattacks. Multi-factor authentication, which requires the use of two or more factors to authenticate a user, provides an additional layer of security.
- Educate your employees. Your employees are one of your most important lines of defense against a cyberattack. Educate them on cybersecurity risks and best practices, such as not clicking on links in email messages from unknown senders.
- Backup your data. In the event that your systems are compromised, it is important to have a backup of your data. This way, you can minimize the impact of an attack and get your business back up and running quickly.
- Work with a trusted IT partner. A trusted IT partner can help you implement the appropriate security measures to protect your business from a cyberattack. They can also provide ongoing support and monitoring to help ensure that your systems remain secure.
By taking these steps, you can help protect your small business from a cyberattack.
