Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Hackers understand that the destruction they can bring to small businesses is monumental in size. SMBs possess weak cybersecurity protection and a lack of funding to cover the potential damage of security risks. These hackers keep penetrating deeper and deeper. More than 70% of cyberattacks target small businesses. Although SMBs cite security as their most pressing IT challenge, but it’s likely they are left overwhelmed and can’t handle the issue on their own. Cyberattacks keep getting more sophisticated, as well. Cybercriminals have jumped from being interested in stealing dat to attacking one’s integrity. 
Cyber-hackers are deploying attacks such as whaling schemes, where hackers are impersonating legitimate personnel to steal. They are hijacking a device and then demanding a ransom payment in exchange for restoring control to the user. Adaptive, multi-layered security solutions that incorporate AI and Machine Learning into cybersecurity solutions. Learning to monitor, monitor and protect against potential threats is a promising factor. With a scarcity of cyberthreat/security talent SMBs will find it difficult to be able to afford an IT professional to handle their issues.
Find your People
Finding and retaining the appropriately qualified staff is a challenge for organizations of every size. SMB cybersecurity “professionals” differ from those whom of which work for larger enterprises. It goes a long way to act as that internal IT department for your SMB end-user. Take the time to invest accordingly to the appropriate security/technology trainings and you’ll be on your way to preventing cyberattacks into the future.
Defining Cyber-Awareness within SMBs
Why is cybersecurity and cyber awareness vital for your business? What will happen your business if there is a security breach? Will you lose future revenue? Will you lose trust from your employees? These are all questions to ask yourself when reinstating awareness for employees. It seems simple, but it’s incredibly important. Develop a team that specifically focuses on cybersecurity awareness. Cyber awareness is really about teaching your customers/end-users/SMBs about the risks and best practices of cybersecurity. Incorporate cyber awareness into your weekly meetings and connecting calls with customers. 
Gone Phishing
To define the threat, Phishing emails are quite the common cybersecurity threat today. It’s important to know that phishing emails aren’t always easy to spot. Some people still unfortunately buy into the scams, but those email senders are easy to track. Some of these phishing emails can mimic IT or internal messages from CEOS and other leadership authorities. The emails will often contain an ask for a hurried response, that can cause some viewer anxiety. Though these messages may seem and look real, they are riddled with grammatical errors.
In loo of advising end-users on how to fend off phishing attacks, the following tips are sure to get the ball rolling:
- Hover over links to determine their address.
- Call the sender to confirm the email’s intent, if phone number is listed.
- Stick with your gut. Common sense is key.
- If you aren’t expecting an email, don’t open any of the attachments.
- Emails that come from legitimate government organizations won’t contain intimate information. Keep on the lookout for this as a red flag.
- Raise a red flag if you don’t know the person or the place of work and they don’t introduce themselves through a mutual connection.
Employees, especially those who are new and untrained, are the biggest threat to information security. Attackers prey on trust and fear. They manipulate people into falling for their scams. Hackers are blatantly placing employees and organizations in vulnerable situations, especially when financial and account information is involved. Phishing attacks aren’t slowing down anytime soon, so it’s wise to begin preparing SMBs and end-users to know what to look for and how to prevent damage.
