The Guide to Small Business Cybersecurity Solutions

Cyber-attacks don't happen like they do in movies. Hackers aren't people slapping away at a keyboard for a few seconds to break into your network. Data breaches usually don't set off red lights and alarms. Sensitive data isn't held deep underground in a vault that can only be accessed by passing a wall of lasers.
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In reality, hacking is much less exciting but just as dangerous as it's portrayed in the movies. Cold, calculated strikes occur across the country daily, with almost half aimed at small and medium businesses. Why does everyone pick on the little guy? Because typically the security solutions of SMBs are either minimal or nonexistent. How can you avoid cyber-attacks when you're a little fish in a big pond? Not to worry, knowledge and experience will lead the way.

Why SMBs Are The Target
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According to a joint report by IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach increased by 10% in 2021 and according to Verizon, the cost of 95% of incidents for SMBs fell between $826 and $653,587. Usually, these businesses lack the resources to defend themselves from security breaches. When 51% of small businesses don't have security solutions in place to handle hackers or potential digital theft, that leads to increased targeting.
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The odds aren't in your favor as a small business. New business owners have many decisions to make around their small businesses, so sometimes cybersecurity tools are left by the wayside to make room for business-oriented decisions. Additionally, most small companies have as many digital assets as a larger businesses without the same protections. This naturally leads to increased security threats as you're now an easy target for any potential digital attack. 

Your Security Services Should Watch Out For These Cyber Threats
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Hackers usually attempt to gain access to your sensitive data during an attack, like customer payment data or personal files that could be used for gain. With enough information, attackers can exploit your business, your customers, or your identity in any number of damaging ways.
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These attacks can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to recover from if you catch on quickly enough, but often times the damage has already been done and sets you back months or years. One of the best ways to prevent this from occurring is to know what to watch out for. This isn't a complete list, but these threats are the most common forms of attack that small business security solutions encounter on a regular basis.

• DDoS: A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack occurs when a server is intentionally overloaded with requests until it shuts down the target’s website or network system. This is the one you hear about all the time in the news.
• Malware: This umbrella term is short for “malicious software” and covers any program introduced into the target’s computer with the intent to cause damage or gain unauthorized access. Types of malware include viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Knowing this is important because it helps you determine the type of cybersecurity software you need.
• Phishing: Perhaps the most commonly deployed form of cybertheft, phishing attacks involve collecting sensitive information like login credentials and credit card information through a legitimate-looking (but ultimately fake) website that’s often sent to unsuspecting individuals in an email. Spear phishing, an advanced form of this type of attack, requires in-depth knowledge of specific individuals and social engineering to gain their trust and infiltrate the network. If you see suspicious links in emails, don't click on them. Ever.
• Ransomware: A ransomware attack infects your machine with malware and demands a ransom. Typically, ransomware either locks you out of your computer and demands money in exchange for regaining access, or it threatens to publish private information if you don’t pay a specified amount. Ransomware is one of the fastest-growing types of security breaches and one of many network security processes highlight under their security solutions.
• Zero-day Attack: Zero-day attacks can be a developer’s worst nightmare. They are unknown flaws and exploits in software and systems discovered by attackers before the developers and security staff become aware of any threats. These exploits can go undiscovered for months or even years until they’re discovered and repaired. The more you know about your systems and software, the easier it is to enact effective cybersecurity solutions. 

How to Utilize Security Solutions to Protect Your Network

Network security is one of many steps involved in keeping your data under wraps. While an SMB may not be able to afford the same level of coverage as enterprise security solutions, you still have ways to get ahead of potential threats.

Data backup software and services recover any lost or compromised data from a hack so, at worst, only a copy of your data was stolen. Not ideal, but much better than the alternative of not having any of that lost data at all.

Encryption software keeps your sensitive data, like employee records or client payment information, covered behind a digital veil. This is incredibly difficult to hack for most offenders, so it's one of the best ways to dissuade potential attacks.
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Finally, multi-step authentication reduces the likelihood of password cracking by putting it behind multiple layers of protection. 

The Ultimate Cybersecurity Solutions Choice

Everything you just learned was the groundwork for your preventative measures. Knowing the tools your opponent uses gives you a better shot at dodging the next attack. However, even with all this knowledge, you may still need a helping hand, and that's where IntegriTel comes in.

Our cybersecurity solutions cover everything from disaster recovery to data security. All of our security tools are powered by Kaseya and Fortinet, giving you a new angle of protection with Zero Trust. This goes beyond two-step authentication, always giving you unparalleled security protection.
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If you think it's time to take the next step towards greater identity and access management solutions, IntegriTel is here to help. Contact us today to get your cybersecurity journey started on the right foot. We’d be more than happy to schedule an appointment or call with our vendors to show you what our solutions provide with a free demonstration.