While the number of cyber breaches seems to be declining, the more likely story is that there’s less press about the incidents that experts say are more severe. This is one of the many reasons why small businesses need to be vigilant about reducing their risk of cyberattacks.
Keep Device Security Updated
Some of the common types of vulnerabilities include:
- Malware. A couple of common forms are website defacement, where it changes the appearance of your site, and malicious redirect, which shuttles your site’s viewers to another site with harmful content.
- Cross-site scripting (XSS). This is where manipulative lines of JavaScript code are injected into the company’s page to gather customer information.
- DDoS attacks. A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is like an information traffic jam that overwhelms your servers, throwing your site offline.
Getting to know your server and regularly updating security patches lessens the risks of cyberattacks.
Have a Separate Firewall
The purpose of a firewall is to filter traffic and block unwanted actors from accessing your network. While your service provider has a firewall, consider a separate configuration within your office as an added layer of protection. If you’re not sure how to add it to your own system, find an IT professional who can accommodate your specific needs.
Create Clear Employee Cybersecurity Policies
You need a clear and consistent guide for maintaining the network security of your business. One scary fact is that 63% of successful cyber attacks come from inside the company. Handle your cybersecurity needs by spelling out who can access the network, how personal devices are treated, and even what to do when an employee is terminated.
Invest in Cyber Insurance
Investing in cyber insurance is one of the smartest moves any business can make because it provides a valuable safety net. Between 2013 and 2019, 73% of insurance clauses covered data breaches or incident responses. That is a good start, but you can acquire additional coverage, depending on your industry and needs. There are a few cyber security insurance firms in or around Collinsville, CT, that can help you tailor your policy.
Check out the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) tip sheet for more ideas.
If Your Business Has Been Attacked
As a reputable business owner, your first instinct may be to come clean. However, before you contact anyone, even your customers, there are two essential steps to take.
Assess and Contain the Breach
Have your IT department comb through your network and see what has been infected. Whether you’re a victim of an XSS attack or malware, take down your site or app, disable remote access, and maintain your firewall.
Contact Your Carrier
Once you’ve assessed and contained the breach, contact your insurance carrier to discuss your options. They know the steps you need to take to assist your recovery.
Keep Your Business Safe
Within six months of an attack, 60% of small businesses fail. Fortunately, you can limit your risk of falling into that category by keeping your network safe and taking smart actions if you’ve been hit.
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