It is estimated, across the globe, cybercrimes cost businesses $450 billion in 2016. Yet companies of all sizes continue to ignore these threats. Many business owners feel they are too small for a cybercriminal to waste their time. However, the opposite is often true. Small companies are assumed to not have the proper safeguards in place to protect themselves or even recognize an attack.
3 COMMON TYPES OF CYBERCRIMES
- Ransomware. A type of malware (a broad term for software, aiming to inflict damage or breach an IT system). Ransomware requires a company to pay a ransom to regain access to their files or server.
- Corporate Account Takeover. Another type of malware, which hijacks a user’s computer in order to trace anything from keystrokes to websites accessed. Malware is often invited into a network through an e-mail link or attachment. Unsuspecting employees click and download the program without knowing it.
- Identity Theft via Data Breach. Many companies have sensitive customer information that needs to be safeguarded. Companies known to have this sensitive data often are active targets of cybercrimes.
3 Things Companies can do to Protect Themselves from Cybercrime
- Conduct a Security Audit. Determine how easily a cybercriminal can assess a company’s server or files and find issues before they become larger problems.
- Test Employees. When it comes to cybersecurity, the number one threat is also the number one defender; company employees. Sending test phishing emails to employees to track how many click on the link or open an attachment.
- Have a Plan. An attack could happen, having a plan to resolve and react will save time and money.
- Assess Insurance Needs. Insurance can cover payments on ransomware or for downtime recovering from an attack. Determining the overall risk of these attacks will assist in determining the level of coverage, if any, needed.
How Smith Schafer can Help
- Review technology and security polices
- Technology planning and budgeting
- Technology coaching and executive education
- Work with IT vendors to implement a stronger security framework
CONTACT US
Keeping up with technology is a requirement for the success of a company. Click here to contact Smith Schafer’s Technology Services Group and learn how we can help. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
