Every business owner has seen the recent big name hacks of the U.S. Government, banks, and large retail companies. But many smaller start-up companies seem to be of the mindset that they are too small for a hacker to bother with them, and don’t take security to the level they need to protect their business.
Well, here’s a news flash that ought to get you to re-think your security protocols – The National Cyber Security Alliance did a study in 2012 and found that as many as 60% of small firms that incurred a security breach by hackers were out of business within 6 months.
And, what’s even more chilling: a report by the Ponenmon Institute published in September 2014 found that almost 50% of the companies they surveyed experienced a breach in the previous year!
Looking Inside a Hacker’s Mind… What’s the Point?
Today’s hacker isn’t just some loser guy holed away in their parent’s basement (well, some of them are), but today’s hacker is a focused and organized member of a large criminal organization that sells all kinds of information to the highest bidder.
Do you really want to become another failed business statistic simply because you thought a hacker might not take notice of your company? Hackers do not discriminate because of size, and that’s something you need to realize and take appropriate action now.
If you haven’t been hacked; it’s just a matter of time. You might think that you’ve stored away you critical data, but there’s always a back door waiting to be opened by a hacker. If your employees aren’t using smart security protocols, and aren’t on the look out for suspicious activity, they re leaving a trail that hackers can use to put together a clear picture of what’s happening with your business.
How Can Start-Up Companies Stay Safe Against Attack?
It all starts with taking IT security seriously – you cannot afford to be passive. You need to start taking a proactive approach – securing your vital data from all angles:
- Installing anti-virus software and running scans on a regular basis
- Staying on top of the latest patches and security updates for software
- Implementing properly configured firewalls and web-content filtering
- Educating employees on proper online safety procedures
- Keeping data backed up and recoverable in the event of loss or theft
- Undergoing a full security audit to assess where you’re vulnerable
This is just the beginning – you also need to make sure you have an appropriate response plan in place to mitigate damage when hackers strike.
You’re on the top of every cybercriminals list. As we speak, hackers are looking for ways to infiltrate your network and steal confidential data. Don’t let them make you a victim. Call {phone} or send us an email: {email}. We have the knowledge and expertise to make your company more secure than ever before.
