Cybersecurity is often overlooked by small businesses. However, it is incredibly important. Not only for the safety of your business, but also for your customers. It’s a common misconception that only large businesses are targeted by online attackers. In reality, everyone who uses the internet will be at risk – and your business is one of them.
The consequences of cyber-attack can be massive. You could lose data, lower your company’s reputation and even face financial losses. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be at risk of being sued if your business is found to be in breach of data protection laws.
This all sounds really scary, and it should be. However, there are steps you can take to ensure your business is secure online. We’re going to share with you a few key things you should be doing to protect your business from online attack.
Why Cybersecurity Matters For Small Businesses
The best way to explain why cybersecurity matters – even for small businesses – is to start with the cold, hard facts. You need to know that:
- 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses.
- 52% of UK businesses experienced at least one cyberattack in the last 5 years.
- 60% of small companies go out of business within 6 months of a cyberattack.
You may be wondering why those figures are so high. There are a few theories. One is that smaller businesses are less likely to have security measures in place, therefore making them an easier target for attackers to prey on. As a small business owner, you need to ensure you take precautions to protect your business from online attack. Here’s a few ideas which you may find helpful.
Protecting Your Website From Cyber Threats
There are many ways you can protect your website from cyber threats. Some are fairly straightforward, whereas others may sound more complicated. Regardless of difficulty, all of these measures are worth taking the time to implement. Ultimately, you should be investing in your cyber security to protect your small business’s online presence. Employing the help of an expert will be worth every penny.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords & A Password Manager
2-Factor Authentication
You can use 2-factor authentication (or 2FA) for an additional layer of security. This means that as well as needing a password for access, you also need a second form of identification. You may get a code sent to your personal phone or email, which ensures that only you can access your protected files. Therefore, even if someone were to obtain your password, they still wouldn’t be able to gain entry.
Educate Your Team
Cybersecurity isn’t just a tech issue, it’s a human issue too. It’s all well and good having security measures in place, but if your staff don’t know how their actions can affect cyber safety, your efforts could be wasted. You need to ensure your staff know how to identify phishing scams and deal with spam emails. They also need training on secure password storage and cyber security best practices. When it comes to online safety, just one wrong click can compromise an entire system. Therefore, it’s really important to make sure your staff have the right knowledge to keep your business safe.
Install An SSL Certificate
Use Security Plugins
Back Up Your Website Regularly
Take Action Today & Secure Your Website With Confidence
Cybersecurity may seem overwhelming at first, but you don’t need to become a tech expert to make your business safer. Start small, stay consistent and regularly review your website’s security. By taking action now, you’re not only protecting your assets, you’re also building trust with your customers and setting your business up for long-term success.
When you choose to build your website with Search4Local, you’ll be set up with secure encryption and SSL certificates as standard. As well as that, you can speak to our IT experts for online security advice and help in setting up your systems. Get in touch with our friendly team today to learn more about how we can help.
Written by Alice Farley
