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In recent months, cyberattacks right in our backyard were featured on national news and made many of us think about the increased importance of cybersecurity. These attacks not only caused weeks of downtime but cost business owners thousands of dollars in lost sales and revenue. When this happened, personal and payment data were compromised and critical services were put at risk.
We hear about instances just like this nearly every day, but when it happens in our own community to companies we personally do business with, it serves as a reminder of the growing number of threats that face businesses today.
“Ransomware is everywhere. There isn’t a single industry that isn’t dealing with this problem right now,” said Chris Krebs, former director of the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. While cyber threats can come in many forms, including ransomware, viruses, spyware and others, their common purpose is to disrupt, extort or shut down their target.
Even more alarming: cyber-attacks on small and medium-sized businesses are not only increasing, but they are also becoming more targeted and sophisticated. In fact, more than 70% of attacks target small businesses. The statistics are clear: Businesses literally can’t afford not to protect themselves from outside threats.
An increasingly complex cyber threat landscape is a daunting problem: How do you prevent an attack before it’s too late? How much should you invest in cybersecurity when you need to grow your business? And how are you supposed to manage this on top of keeping the business running?
The answer begins with a multi-pronged cybersecurity solution that protects against a variety of malicious threats. The next step is to train your employees to identify and report suspicious websites, phishing attempts and ransomware. Many data breaches are due to human error, and phony emails are a common entry point. Finally, consider consulting with an outside expert. Working with someone who’s focused on preventing the worst from happening will free you up to do what you do best: run your business.
Cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity but a critical component of business strategy. Effective cybersecurity measures safeguard against financial loss, reputational damage and operational disruptions so that your business can operate with confidence and resilience. Investing in robust cybersecurity not only defends against potential threats but also fosters a culture of security that supports long-term success and growth. In today’s interconnected world, we know that we’re all at risk. It’s no longer a matter of if you will experience an attack but when.