Introduction
Cybersecurity might seem like an issue for big corporations with armies of IT experts, but small businesses are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. In fact, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. Still, many small business owners think they’re too small to attract hackers, until they get hacked. From outdated software to weak passwords, the mistakes are often simple, but the damage can be devastating. So, what are the most common cybersecurity missteps small businesses make, and how can they protect themselves?
1. Ignoring Software Updates
Imagine you’ve got a leaky faucet in your office, and every day you put off fixing it. Eventually, it becomes a flood. That’s what happens when you delay software updates. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software, and every time you delay that update, you’re essentially leaving the door wide open for an attack.
Take Sarah’s small marketing agency, for example. Sarah thought her team was too busy to deal with the latest software update. A month later, her company was hit with a ransomware attack because one of the workstations hadn’t updated its operating system. The result? Sensitive client data was locked behind a paywall, and the agency lost both time and credibility.
It’s simple: always update your software, whether it’s your operating system, applications, or antivirus software. Many updates patch security vulnerabilities, so make sure to install them as soon as they’re available.
Tip:
- Set your devices to update automatically or schedule regular reminders to update your systems.
2. Using Weak or Repeated Passwords
How many of us use “password123” or “qwerty” because they’re easy to remember? Or maybe you use the same password across all accounts because it’s just simpler that way. But hackers love these weak and predictable passwords. When a cybercriminal compromises one account, they can quickly test those same login credentials across all your systems, giving them access to more than they should.
One of the worst things you can do is reuse the same password for multiple accounts. This was the downfall for one small tech startup owner, Ben. He had used the same password for his email, banking, and company cloud storage. When his email was hacked in a phishing scam, the hacker was able to access everything, wiping out his entire business’s cloud storage.
To avoid this mistake, implement strong, unique passwords for each system. If remembering them all seems like a challenge, use a password manager to keep track of them.
Tip:
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. It’s a simple step that adds a significant layer of protection to your accounts.
3. Failing to Back Up Data Regularly
“It won’t happen to me,” is something we all say until it does. Data loss from accidental deletions, system failures, or cyberattacks like ransomware can cripple a business. Yet, many small businesses fail to back up their data regularly, thinking it’s unnecessary or too time-consuming.
Consider the case of Tom, a small e-commerce store owner. One day, his website was hit with a malware attack, and his entire product inventory was wiped out. Without a backup, Tom had no way of restoring the lost data and was forced to manually upload his products all over again, a time-consuming process that cost him both revenue and customer trust.
Backing up your data doesn’t have to be complicated. Cloud backups are inexpensive and can be set to run automatically. Keep both an on-site and off-site backup to ensure that, even if disaster strikes, you won’t lose everything.
Tip:
- Automate backups and test them periodically to ensure they’re working properly.
4. Not Training Employees on Cybersecurity
Think of your employees as your first line of defense. If they’re not aware of basic cybersecurity practices, they can easily become an unwitting entry point for cybercriminals. The majority of breaches happen because an employee clicked on a phishing email or downloaded a malicious file. And yet, many small businesses neglect employee training, assuming that everyone just knows what to do.
Let’s take the example of Emma, who owns a small restaurant. One day, her cashier clicked on a link in an email that seemed to be from a delivery service. It wasn’t. It was a phishing attempt that led to a malware infection, shutting down the restaurant’s point-of-sale system. Emma had to scramble to get things back up and running, all because her team hadn’t been trained to spot phishing scams.
Employee training doesn’t have to be a lengthy or expensive endeavor. Regular, short training sessions about password security, phishing emails, and safe browsing practices can go a long way in preventing a breach.
Tip:
- Run phishing simulation exercises to test your employees’ ability to identify fraudulent emails.
5. Not Having a Cybersecurity Plan in Place
What happens if the worst-case scenario happens? Are you prepared? Many small business owners fail to create a cybersecurity plan, which is like building a house without a fire escape. When something goes wrong, you need to know how to respond, quickly.
Jason, a small business owner, found this out the hard way. His online store was hit by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that took his website down for several days. Because he didn’t have a plan, his team spent valuable hours figuring out what to do next instead of focusing on solving the problem. He lost revenue and frustrated customers because he wasn’t prepared for the attack.
Having a cybersecurity plan in place doesn’t mean you need to be an expert, it just means being prepared. Outline steps to take in the event of a cyberattack, such as who to contact, how to secure critical data, and how to notify customers. This will help you respond efficiently and minimize the damage.
Tip:
- Regularly review and update your cybersecurity plan, ensuring that it reflects any changes in your business or the threat landscape.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a business issue. Small businesses often fall victim to cyberattacks simply because they’re not aware of the risks or they assume they’re too small to be a target. The good news is that most cybersecurity mistakes can be easily avoided with some basic precautions and planning. From keeping software up-to-date to training employees and having a solid backup system in place, small businesses can reduce the likelihood of a cyberattack. By taking action today, you can protect your business, your data, and your customers tomorrow.
Take the first step today, update your passwords, back up your data, and make sure your team is prepared. Your business is worth protecting!