One of the most valuable assets for any business is its data. Like any business, small businesses are susceptible to cyberattacks.
Safeguarding your company’s data is not just about avoiding financial loss—it’s about protecting customer and employee information, maintaining public trust, following government regulations, and keeping your business running with as little disruption as possible.
But one data breach can lead to potentially catastrophic financial penalties, ruin your company’s reputation and disrupt operations.
With small businesses often seen as an easy target for cyberattacks, it’s no wonder business owners have a touch of anxiety when it comes to understanding how to protect data—from banking and payment processing to email and customer databases. In fact, 44 percent of small businesses have experienced a cyberattack, according to computer security software company McAfee.
And, according to Forbes, 41% of small businesses don’t have systems in place for data backup and recovery.
“Everybody is a target for cyberattacks—and that includes individuals and small businesses,” said Jamie Neumaier, corporate information security officer at Erie Insurance. “One reason small- and medium-sized businesses are frequently targeted is because they don’t have the same technology as a large corporation. Not only does this make them an easier target, but attacks on small businesses often go unnoticed by the public because they aren’t heavily publicized.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom. A little bit of preparation and knowledge can go a long way in protecting your business from cyber criminals.
