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Know why cyber security matters and learn the BEST TIPS to protect your small business from hacks and data breaches with CYBER SECURITY in Orlando.
People often associate cyber security with big-name corporations with in-house IT departments. However, in today's digital landscape, even small businesses throughout Florida need to take preventative measures to secure and protect their networks, endpoints, and data from hackers.
According to a study by Accenture, small businesses account for over 40% of cyber attacks, but less than 15% of those enterprises can defend themselves against breaches. That's why cyber security in Orlando, FL, should matter to all small and mid-sized businesses.
Cyber security includes all the processes, procedures, policies, hardware, and software that defer malicious attacks on networks, servers, computers, data, and mobile devices. Technology is constantly evolving and advancing, but so do hackers. Cyber criminals look for ways to infiltrate systems to steal information, stop business operations, or perform other malicious actions.
With the right cyber security services and actions in place, your small business in Orange County can protect itself against harm, data loss, and a damaged reputation.
Any business that collects or stores sensitive information is a target for hackers and requires cyber security. Even a small business in Florida with less than 100 workers needs cyber security in Orlando to protect its IT infrastructure and safeguard its data.
Though every enterprise should have cyber security strategies, some organizations are mandated protectors of information. For instance, government organizations must have cyber security protections. Other entities include those under legal compliance and regulations and business-to-business companies.
Florida continues improving its organized efforts to reduce cyber crime. Still, the state is falling behind.
As of 2021, Florida has the second-highest number of internet crime victims in the nation. However, you can safeguard your small business with these cyber security tips.
According to Florida's State of Small Business Report, more than half of small businesses that experienced a data breach listed employee negligence as the reason for the problem. This shows that workers can create exploitable vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches.
Instead of assuming your workers understand the importance of cyber security data protection, ensure they have sufficient, ongoing training on it. Consider incorporating common employee mistakes and negligence to bring awareness to cyber security and teach them how to:
Your computers need antivirus and anti-malware software. They can help detect and prevent infections from malicious software. However, they require regular updates to patch vulnerabilities and solve other security problems that develop as technology changes.
Antivirus and anti-malware software will not remain effective over time without periodic updates. You can ensure your computers have baseline protection by configuring the software to search for updates and install them automatically as soon as they are available. It is also best to update other software associated with your operating system, browsers, and applications to strengthen the IT infrastructure.
It's not uncommon for cyber criminals to access a business's sensitive data within its network through internet access. Basic network security includes information encryptions and firewall installations to keep unwanted people from viewing and collecting your information.
Sometimes, businesses forget to secure their WiFi, but cyber criminals can also infiltrate networks through wireless connections. However, you can set up a router or wireless access point without your company's network name to hide it. Password protection and Virtual Private Network setups are also essential for securing networks for on-site and remote use.
Though servers are excellent data storage options, they are vulnerable to cyberattacks. For adequate cyber security in Orlando, consider storing data on cloud platforms. Cloud providers specialize in monitoring cyber security threats to secure data.
Strong passwords for networks, computers, accounts, and applications help minimize unauthorized access, but hackers can crack passwords or gain login details through backdoor vulnerabilities. With multi-factor authentication (MFA), you can enable a secondary safeguard to prevent people who steal passwords from gaining access to a computer system.
MFA requires users to verify their identity beyond typing in their username and password. They may also have to input a specific PIN or phrase. For example, the mechanism could send a link to an associated device for the user to click or include fingerprint or facial recognition software.
Your business could become a victim of a cyber crime anytime. Though you can minimize the risk of an attack with a cyber security plan, it's also best to have a recovery plan in case the threat becomes a reality. It will help mitigate damage from the attack, preserve your reputation, and allow business operations to continue.
Despite your best efforts, a tech-savvy cyber criminal could invade your business's IT infrastructure, or you could experience a natural disaster leading to total data loss. Either situation could deem your business as unreliable to consumers and result in an operational standstill. However, with a data backup and recovery plan, you can maintain or regain access to your data and resume operations with little to no downtime after a breach.
To secure and protect your data, be sure to:
Cyber attacks cost businesses millions of dollars annually and put companies and consumers at risk for fraud and identity theft. Hackers and criminals target small businesses the most because they can access desirable information like names, addresses, social security numbers, and credit card information. However, many companies lack the necessary cyber security measures to prevent unauthorized access to networks and data.
Many small business owners assume they are not at risk for cyberattacks. Some owners don't even realize they are targets of cyber threats. Yet, it's a serious problem that bankrupts nearly 60% of businesses within six months of an attack.
To give you an idea of the importance of cyber security, here are some common ways hackers and cyber criminals attack small businesses throughout Orange County and beyond.
Malware or malicious software is intrusive software that purposefully damages computer systems and devices. Cyber criminals use it to steal information, destroy devices, or severely damage computer systems. Malware encompasses many types of malicious software, including Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, and worms.
The primary way to prevent your Orlando business from the damaging aftereffects of malware is prevention. However, advanced malware can infiltrate some systems despite cyber security measures, so it's always necessary to include a detection and response plan in your cyber security plan.
Ransomware is malicious software that holds a computer hostage until its owner provides payment or a ransom. It can infect an endpoint device and restrict access to a network, information, and applications, which could bring daily operations to a standstill.
When ransomware infects a computer, it encrypts its data and demands some form of payment to release it back to its original owner. Hackers can infect systems with ransomware by exploiting software vulnerabilities, often by sending malicious email links.
Sometimes, hackers will find ways to infiltrate a business's IT network to view or collect information without consent. In many cases, they will use spyware to get access to data.
Spyware can be malicious or legal. For instance, legal, legitimate spyware can collect data from social media platforms for advertisement purposes. Malicious spyware is what hackers use to steal information from unknowing parties to send to others.
A computer virus is a program that spreads from device to device through a code. When you open an executable host file with the code, the virus can invade the system and spread through drives, infected email attachments, and file-sharing applications. Hackers infect computers with viruses to cause havoc for businesses by taking control of their IT systems.
A virus could result in data loss, leaks, system disruptions, and operational issues. You might realize your computer has a virus if it exhibits these warning signs:
Most businesses fall victim to phishing scams because they look legitimate. Phishing is the process of collecting data or gaining network access by sending emails designed to look like they're from authentic sources. They often include a link or attachment that contains malicious code.
When employees receive emails, they must verify their legitimacy. It's never a good idea to click on links or attachments from unknown parties. Even if an email's address or content seems authentic, they usually display signs of falsehood, such as unusual wording, spelling mistakes, or a website address that differs from a real business or entity.
When looking into cyber security in Orlando, it's necessary to understand the five Cs of cyber security, which are vital areas of concern for all businesses. They are the elements that encompass all effective cyber security strategies.
When exploring why cyber security matters, you'll see that technology never stops advancing. Cyber criminals diligently look for ways to exploit vulnerabilities in networks, endpoints, servers, and web systems, so small businesses must adapt to change.
Even if your cyber security plan is effective in its current stage, you must consider that it will change as your business expands and technology evolves.
An effective cyber security plan requires the compliance of all employees and management. Rules and policies are essential for protecting a network's infrastructure and company data. Compliance ensures that workers adhere to the rules and do their part to protect the business against threats.
Many small businesses fail to implement sufficient cyber security measures due to budget. It can cost thousands of dollars for companies to protect their IT infrastructure. However, larger enterprises usually spend more on their cyber security services to cover a broader scope of networks and servers.
As a small business owner in Orlando, you might not have enough budget for an in-house IT department. However, assessing your business's expenses and funding is necessary to cover the cost of an adequate cyber security strategy.
Continuity is a separate plan for your business's continued operations if a disaster occurs that would otherwise cease all or most business operations. For instance, IT disasters like ransomware attacks and hacks could bring business to a standstill. A continuity plan ensures you can still perform daily functions despite IT-related events.
Coverage refers to the size of your business's IT infrastructure. The larger the infrastructure, the more vulnerable it is to a cyberattack.
Keep in mind that coverage changes. Though your IT infrastructure is small at the moment, it can grow to accommodate your business's expansions.
Cyber security in Orlando, FL, encompasses many steps and processes that might be overwhelming for a small business without an in-house IT department. However, you can take several steps to make it more difficult for hackers to invade your network and cause problems for your enterprise and customers.
Thankfully, our experienced IT professionals at TradeWeb offer exceptional cyber security service in Orlando and the surrounding areas, including Winter Park, Pine Hills, and Conway. Third-party cyber security services can help you develop the best strategies to safeguard your business and prevent it from becoming another cyber attack statistic.
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