In accordance with Keeper Security 2019 SMB Cyberthreat Study, 18% of CEOs running small and midsize businesses consider cybersecurity as their lowest priority. Even though companies and users still believe that cybersecurity for small businesses is an unnecessary thing to invest in, the number of successful threats grows rapidly. This is because large enterprises always put cybersecurity as the highest priority when they want to build a trustworthy business. As a result, hackers know that small businesses are always the easiest target and do not skip their chance to steal data and money.
In 2022 cybersecurity should always be essential regardless of the size of the business. Thanks to technologies, hackers get new ways of stealing information from the business, leading to costly mistakes that can be prevented. However, there are still some businesses that may put cybersecurity as the second priority due to the invaluable information they hold. In contrast, other companies that work with specific data and finances should always improve their security measures. This guide will show you what signs say that your business requires cybersecurity in 2022.
You Collect Sensitive Identifiable Information
Most small and midsize businesses usually underestimate their risk level and believe they don’t have any worth-stealing information or they are small, so they won’t be noticed by hackers. The truth is that the smaller your business is, the higher the risk of threat you have. This is because you probably collect the same amount of personal data as large enterprises do, but you also lack security.
We recommend you to check what type of data and in what amounts your business collects. It could be full names of users, their addresses, their card information, subscribers’ email addresses and so on. This is also relevant to employee information you store, which can also become an easy but valuable target. To ease the process and get vital insights, use cybersecurity services, as experts will quickly show your risk level.
You Perform Financial Transactions
Any company that performs financial operations is always at risk. No matter if you’re a startup or a large enterprise selling goods through the website or getting money online, your business collects financial information that seems to be the most appealing target for hackers.
In 2022 financial data is the biggest target for cybercriminals, so they usually choose online stores. This type of attack is known as E-skimming, and it happens when hackers get access to a store’s web server and intercepts financial transactions. This type of attack is growing, and a report shows that during the last few years, millions of credit card numbers have been stolen.
You’re Governed by Cybersecurity Regulations
More and more industries are developing their own cybersecurity regulations and standards thanks to an increased number of attacks and new ways of getting access to the company’s information. One of these industries is healthcare, which has become one of the most popular targets since 2019. And every year, these standards are becoming higher.
While those companies who develop digital products that aren’t compliant with regulations are subjected to fines, this is also a good sign that you need to reconsider your cybersecurity policy and start taking measures to protect your data. And if you also don’t know whether you have regulations, that’s a sign to use penetration testing services UK.
You Have Employees
When it comes to hacker attacks, they usually choose the weakest spots in your business. And unfortunately, in most cases, these weakest spots are your employees. Based on Shred-it’s 2018 State of the Industry Report, employee negligence is considered one of the biggest cyber security risks. This means if your employees work with technologies to perform their work, cybersecurity for your business is a must-have.
Employees that represent the weak spot are those who have developed bad habits over time. This includes using the same password for several platforms and services, sharing their sensitive data on social media and bringing these habits to work as well. This is why one of the biggest cybersecurity trends in 2022 is awareness and knowledge. Knowing how and when hackers can steal data can help both your employees and you protect information.
You Work with Third-Party Vendors
Supply chain attacks are the biggest ones today. They also cause a great risk and damage in a successful attack case. Any organisation that usually works with third-party vendors should consider this type of attack as the biggest threat to their business. Just like your employees represent a risk, the same can your suppliers and partners. This is because your vendors may not have high-security measures even when you try your best in terms of cybersecurity.
You Use Modern Technology & Remote Work
As we mentioned, the number of new technologies opens a vast range of new ways of attacking the business. The same happens with the adoption of remote work. Like most companies since COVID-19, you’ve probably been forced to start working remotely, using the latest technologies without having enough time to change and improve your security.
Allowing your employees to work remotely using their personal devices is an excellent way to let your hackers access your business. While remote work is still in place, you now have time to start thinking about new security measures. Those workers who use their personal devices for work may not know about attacks and use outdated services and devices that seem vulnerable to cyber attacks. And when they work at home, the risk of successful attacks increases.
You Use Outdated Technology
Outdated technology, like legacy software, has the same vulnerability as new technologies that have only been adopted. Even though most small and medium businesses prefer to rely on new technologies, large enterprises and companies who don’t know a lot about cybersecurity hugely rely on outdated technologies. As a result, they become an appealing and easy target for hackers. In addition, outdated devices and technologies are also harder to protect.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is a must-have for all businesses. While some require less protection, several businesses should always improve their security measures. Here we collected 7 signs that will help you identify when you need to consider cybersecurity services.
