Think you’re too small for a hacker to bother with? Think again.
It’s a common perception that no one would bother hacking a small business or sole trader. That you’re too small to catch the attention of a hacker. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
For the last 10 years or so, hacks on small business have steadily increased to where small business hackings are no longer the minority. Attacks happen every 39 seconds, and IBM reports that 62% of cyber-attacks are happening to small and medium sized businesses.
Hacking a small business is a serious risk
It’s a well-known but horrifying statistic that 60 percent of small companies go out of business within six months of falling victim to a data breach or cyber-attack.
With the future of your business on the line, cyber security should be the number one concern for small businesses and sole traders. Yet many still don’t realise how serious the risk is and most have nowhere near enough cyber security in place to protect them from being hacked.
This is understandable, as the media rarely covers hacking a small business. Only the biggest hacks on the biggest companies ever seem to make the news. And even then, the companies that were hacked desperately try to downplay what happened.
But behind closed doors, small businesses are being hacked every day. They are paying the price for their lack of understanding around the risk and their lack of knowledge around how to protect themselves.
Why hacking a small businesses or sole trader is easy
Smaller companies are easier to hack because they tend to have weaker online security. Big corporations have teams of IT specialists on-staff and take every possible precaution to protect their data. They understand that losing their company information is the biggest risk to their business.
A small business has no IT specialist on staff, and even if they do have some cyber security in place, it’s usually not enough. They might lock some doors but unknowingly leave some wide open for a hacker to exploit.
Small businesses are also doing more business than ever online via cloud services. Many of these cloud-based apps don’t use strong enough encryption. The average small business owner trusts software companies to protect their data but apps and online services are under attack too. They are being subjected to targeted attacks as stealing the data belonging to hundreds of companies in one successful attack is like winning the lottery for hackers.
Small businesses with corporate companies as clients or suppliers are another exciting target. A successful cyber-attack gives the hacker an entry point into hacking the corporate as well.
How can you stop them successfully hacking a small business?
You need to act, now. It sounds incredible but every device connected to the internet is under attack, all the time. It’s not a matter of if you’ll be attacked, it’s when. You must get the right protection in place before a hacker is successful.
Even if you’re working under tight cashflow constraints, cyber security is one expense you can’t afford to ignore.
Get the right layers
Good cyber security is all about layers. Just having one or two things in place is not enough. That will not stop a hacker from hacking a small business. If there is even one hole in your cyber security, a hacker will eventually find it.
Step 1: Knowledge
The first step is to make sure you know what layers you need. Hackers are always looking for new ways in, so you need the right layers of cyber security to protect you. A professional cyber security expert, like one of the team here at
The IT Partners can guide you on what to do to keep your business safe.
Step 2: Tools
It’s important that you use the right tools, as not all cyber security products are created equal. A Google search will deliver you all sorts of different lists of “the best” security products. It’s near impossible for the average business owner to determine which products to use. Our team use the best on the market, ensuring small businesses and sole traders can have enterprise-grade software that protects like no other.
Step 3: Installation
Installing the security tools correctly and getting backups running properly is the next step. There’s no point spending money on security products and services only to find out too late that they haven’t worked.
Step 4: Monitoring
Computers needs to be monitored and managed. Cyber security is not a ‘set and forget’ model. It requires proper ongoing management to ensure full protection. Hackers are always developing new tools. A fully managed security service, like our
Small Business Cyber Security Package, ensures that attempted breaches are monitored, security systems always up-to-date, and any successful breaches thwarted before they get far enough to do much damage.
Step 5: Training
Last but certainly not least, the remaining step is to train yourself and your staff on cyber security. People are the biggest weakness and hackers spend the majority of their time trying to exploit that. It’s often an unsuspecting business owner or staff member who unknowingly lets the hacker in! We provide email training for you and your staff, and are available for ongoing advice as needed.
Get peace of mind
We’ve got your back. The IT Partner’s
Small Business Cyber Security Package is designed especially for small businesses and sole traders. The fully managed package takes care of everything for you – as well as giving you general IT support throughout the year.
The risk of being hacked is too great to ignore. Protect your business before it’s too late.
Contact us for a confidential chat about your cyber security needs.
