Every year, we see high-profile instances of big businesses getting hacked: Target, Equifax, Sony pictures, and more.
But did you know that as many as 60% of all small businesses get hacked every year? Some of them might not even know it happened.
Is your businesses ready to protect itself against attacks? To help you answer that question, let’s take a closer look at the greatest cybersecurity threats that companies will face in 2019.
1. Data Breach
More businesses than ever are using cloud storage to maintain important data. This is convenient, and it helps prevent data loss in the event of a hard drive failure or natural disaster. But it also makes that data vulnerable to breaches.
Using a strong password and making sure your data is encrypted will help protect your company against these breaches.
2. Malware Attacks
Malware refers to any software that gets installed on your system and does damage. Malware can delete data, steal information, and even take remote access of your system.
There are a variety of ways malware gets on your computer, including through software downloads, email attachments, or through hardware that you plug in (like a USB).
Users will often accidentally stumble across malware by trying to download a document or a browser extension. In other cases, however, hackers will target specific users through “phishing.” In these instances, hackers will attempt to fool users into clicking on dangerous links by sending messages that look legitimate through social media or email.
To prevent malware attacks, it’s important to have a strong security mechanism in place. Make sure that all members of your team are briefed on how to identify suspicious downloads and attachments, and that only approved hardware is used.
3. Security Weak Points
The internet of things (IoT) has introduced many security weak points into our technology use. Your car, phone, watch, and even your light bulbs might all be connected to the internet, and many people use the same password for everything.
The internet-connected devices are often less secure than a traditional computer, which can make them vulnerable to breaches. Once you breach one device, it is easier to breach the others.
You can’t force your employees to use different passwords at work than they use at home. But there are steps you can take to make their passwords.
For instance, you can require employees to use a randomly generated password, rather than one they create themselves. You can also set up two-factor authentication, which requires users to have access to two devices associated with their work account to gain entry. Finally, you can require that phones meet certain security standards before employees can use it to access their work email.
Prepare for Cybersecurity Threats Today
Understanding these cybersecurity threats will help your business protect itself in 2019.
Not sure whether your business is ready for a cyber attack? Consider getting a cyber security audit so you can learn what your strengths and vulnerabilities are, and can take action to prepare.
