Increase in Cyberattacks on SMEs
Every month, every week, every day we hear about large-scale attacks on major corporations to try to gain access to their systems.
Data theft, identity usurpation, ransomware infection are surely the most heard of and known cyberattacks. These attacks that become public do so because they are more striking, affect a large number of users, and cause huge losses.
However, no, just because we are an SME doesn't mean we will be exempt from these attacks and attempts to steal and usurp our data and identities.
Impact on Business Continuity
We all want our companies to be as productive as possible and to grow in billing and offerings to our clients, but as the company grows, it starts to attract attention for both good and bad reasons.
Based on various reports, it can be extrapolated that 43% of SMEs will be targets of cyberattacks and it is estimated that 60% of these attacked SMEs will have to close.
These are alarming figures, but no matter how small the company is, it can be a target for cybercriminals and severely affect our activity.
Cybersecurity Challenges in SMEs
Faced with this scenario, a key cybersecurity objective for SMEs is to prevent attackers from reaching the core of our company and being able to halt its operations.
To achieve this, we must undertake a securitization of our systems covering everything they could attack: our email, the DNS layer, devices, etc.
Risks of Excessive Accumulation of Security Technologies
Another aspect to analyze is the issue of accumulating deployed security technologies against cyberattacks.
Sometimes quantity is not synonymous with success. Having the right tools to protect ourselves and face the attacks we may suffer is what matters.
An accumulation of security technologies can cause management problems and leave open gaps that cybercriminals can exploit. In addition, each new technology requires spending on personnel for its management, services and licenses, and adaptation of our company's users' work to these new measures.
Evolution of the Protection Scope (Remote Work, Personal Devices)
In addition, the area to protect is becoming increasingly extensive. We work from home, use mobile devices from anywhere, and even work with devices owned by the users themselves, without clear security measures established.
Another element to consider is the concept of shadow IT, that is, all those applications and connection elements that escape the security measures established by the company.
Also read: Cyberhygiene prevents 99% of cyberattacks
Cybersecurity Strategies for SMEs
Faced with this scenario, the main objective is to reduce the attack surface that can be targeted by cybercriminals.
Try to concentrate appropriate security measures that focus on what we really want to protect: the company's data, prevent their leakage, protect user identities, and detect and respond effectively to possible cyberattacks, whatever their destination.
All this oriented toward protecting intellectual property, reducing compromised data, protecting financial assets, and preserving the company's reputation.
Effective Cybersecurity Measures for SMEs
In short, to effectively protect our company, we can follow these measures:
- Analyze and review incoming and outgoing Firewall traffic. For this, we need qualified personnel who can interpret and understand this data.
- Know the new threats we face and take action against them. Stay up to date with daily publications that alert us to these updates.
- Keep devices and operating systems updated with security patches, as well as the security devices we use and the applications used by users.
- Raise user awareness about possible cyberattacks and train them to be active first-level security agents. They should be able to detect and respond to any suspicion of an attack.
- Have a data protection tool in case of loss during a cyberattack.
- Have knowledge of additional security measures that can extend security in our SME and reduce the attack surface.
Types of Network Cybersecurity Necessary for SMEs
The above should lead us inescapably to consider the following types of network security:
- Access and identity control. It is necessary to give each user and each device access only to what they really need.
- Secure applications. Correct vulnerabilities in corporate applications by keeping them updated.
- Antivirus and antimalware system. It must not only detect malware when they start working, but also be able to detect it if they remain in our systems for a time before functioning.
- Data security and loss prevention. Avoid, as much as possible, our users sending confidential information outside that they shouldn't. This is achieved with DLP (Data Loss Prevention) tools.
- Analysis of strange behavior. Analyze and alert about behaviors that deviate from the norm.
- Email security. It is one of the most used means by cybercriminals to deceive users and obtain valuable information or entry points to our organization.
- Presence of a Firewall. They establish a barrier between the intranet and the internet so that incoming communication is filtered and selected through rules and access lists.
- Mobile device security. Having control over these devices can prevent data and identity compromise.
- VPN. Establishing a secure connection that our users make from the internet prevents unauthorized access to our network.
- Web security and wireless networks. Protecting our own web and defining the security of our wireless networks are other aspects to consider.
Importance of Integrated and Appropriate Measures for SMEs
As we have developed in this article, there are many aspects to take into account to protect in our network in order to avoid being attacked; and in case we are, the damages caused are minimal possible.
It is necessary to have several cybersecurity measures but always appropriate and well integrated into our systems.
Measures that allow users to continue their work without interruption, but that protect their data and identity, and that even if we are attacked, we can have an adequate response and the damage caused is minimal.
ABD's Commitment to Cybersecurity and Business Continuity
At ABD we know about security, and we protect the continuity of your business so that it is not affected by a cyberattack.
If you want more information about these concepts and how to defend yourself don't hesitate to contact us through our usual channels and we will help you.