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Small Business Cybersecurity Risks

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Cybersecurity Insurance & IT Services

Digital technology continues to evolve which can result in cybersecurity risks. The good news is these changes bring a multitude of new ways that businesses can grow. But along with these developments, there are also the growing risks of online threats. No matter how you try to protect yourself, there will always be a prevailing danger every time you enter the online environment. Even large multinational corporations sometimes become victims of cyber-attacks. So, it’s no challenge to breach small businesses and cause cybersecurity risks.

Addressing Inadequate Security Measures

The good news is those small businesses are not helpless despite the alarming rise in the volume and severity of cyber-attacks in recent years. We can apply several easy but effective steps to mitigate cybersecurity risks. If you look at the most common reasons businesses fall victim to online attacks, it almost always boils down to poor security measures.

For instance, many employees still use weak passwords and have not received training on internet security measures. Many companies use old verification systems or simple authentication methods, leaving their data vulnerable to online attackers.

These are issues that even small businesses can address using an up-to-date cybersecurity strategy. If you don’t have the means to implement this kind of protection, you can always enlist the services of a managed service provider specializing in cybersecurity solutions. We’ll tell you more about this at the end of this blog.

How to Bolster Online Security

If your business gets infiltrated by hackers, it can cost a lot in different aspects. You can lose customers, lose revenue, and experience slow operations. It might even force you to shut down your business in case of customer or vendor data loss. To avoid this trouble, you can take some simple steps right now to bolster online security and prevent online attacks from ruining your business.

Train Your Employees

Most hackers do not directly attack a company’s database or network but go through the weakest path of entry: the employees. Seemingly harmless emails and links might be traps set up by online criminals to get into your system. Every employee must be wary of these suspicious links and know-how to identify possible online threats in various forms.

Update Your System

Technology changes rapidly. The system that once gave you ironclad protection may now be a flimsy wall of defense. Once you miss an update to your system, your entire business will become vulnerable to new malware that hackers have recently developed. It is therefore critical to ensure that your security is always up to date.

Have a Reliable Backup and Recovery Plan

Despite all your protective measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks, you can’t be 100% protected at all times. Therefore, it is vital to have a reliable backup system and quick recovery plan to bring your system back in order in case of an attack. A managed services provider can help you set up a recovery strategy to minimize your losses and get you back into regular operation as soon as possible.

Partnering with an MSP Can Significantly Reduce Your Cybersecurity Risks

Cybersecurity threats will always exist, but there are plenty of ways to defend your business against these threats, like partnering with a dependable Managed Service Provider.

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Can Your Business Handle a Ransomware Attack?

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Cybersecurity Strategy: Part 4

Most people have adapted well to the digital world and ransomware attacks. Our daily lives now include much time spent online. With the help of our laptops and mobile devices, we talk with friends, attend meetings, go shopping, and so much more. And while we use these modern conveniences, many of us aren’t even aware that serious risks are lurking everywhere on the Internet. Today, ransomware is the primary threat to businesses of every size.

Ransomware: What Is It?

Hackers can steal your data or make it unavailable by using ransomware, malicious software that encrypts your files and only releases them when you pay the ransom. It works like a regular ransom operation, but the hostage is data instead of a person.

Occasionally, these attacks occur on their own. They frequently form part of a sophisticated phishing scheme. Over the years, online scammers have improved their techniques, so they can now deceive both unprepared businesses and professionals with higher education.

How Serious Are Attacks Using Ransomware?

It might astonish you at the size of some transactions these days. Because of a ransomware assault, some large international corporations have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars! But they have requested ransoms in the millions, so it’s good to know you can talk them down!

Ransomware has developed into one of the most significant internet risks businesses face globally since it first became a thing. Ransomware almost doubled from 2020 to 2021. They have changed their tactics during the pandemic, currently focusing primarily on wealthier firms that can afford to pay higher ransoms.

What caused the increase?

It simply works, that’s why. Even though the ransom often seems ridiculous, they did not choose it at random. Hackers consider a company’s size and how highly they value its data. They establish a ransom that is less than the cost of data recovery. As a result, businesses decide to compensate hackers instead of using their backup plans. More people pay the ransom, which pushes the hackers to attempt even more attacks. Although the FBI advises everyone against doing so, it appears to be the best course of action for some business owners.

Who are victims of ransomware attacks?

These days, ransomware attacks get covered in the news because hackers have targeted public institutions and private companies. For instance, there have been seven ransomware assaults in seven communities in Florida. Tallahassee used funds intended for employee payroll to pay a half-million-dollar ransom to get their data returned. In another instance, the city of Riviera Beach paid hackers $600,000 in Bitcoin after one of its employees fell into a phishing scam.

Even governments at the national level have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. Attempts to hack Ecuador’s system have exceeded 40 million over the years, and they have spent large sums of money to recover stolen information.

What Steps Can You Take to Safeguard Your Business?

The best way to prevent ransomware assaults is to adopt a proactive attitude, which is also the best way to stop many other online dangers. Defend your system before the attack. You must also have a reliable backup and recovery plan to fall back on after a breach.

One of the most popular ways for ransomware attacks to start is through phishing. If all employees had adequate training in internet safety precautions, it would be simple to solve this problem. To determine how well-versed your workforce is on phishing and other online hazards, call us to schedule an Employee Baseline Test.

So, do you believe that your company is ready for a ransomware attack? We can offer you assessment help and we’ll develop a cybersecurity plan to shield you from this seriously dangerous online menace.

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Free VPNs: What you need to know…

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Cybersecurity Strategy: Part 3

A virtual private network, or VPN, as it is more commonly known, safeguards your online identity by hiding your IP address. Your data gets encrypted, thus protecting it from hackers. It also allows you to get around geographic limitations by sending your connection to an encrypted server. Businesses and people who rely on remote access can benefit from VPNs. We frequently use them for travel, streaming, and gaming.

There is virtually no debate about the value of VPNs in the modern world. Since there are so many free VPN services available, the issue is that many individuals do not want to pay for this service. Let us stop any plans you might have to download a free VPN right now! The long-term harmful effects of a free VPN will be greater than any short-term savings. In this article, we discuss the actual risks that using a free VPN exposes you to.

Insufficient Data Protection

A reputable VPN shields your data from hackers’ prying eyes by using trustworthy encryption techniques. Many free VPNs encrypt your data, but most still employ the antiquated PPTP approach, which is not secure. But since it is the simplest to use and doesn’t require expensive software, free VPN providers naturally choose it.

Malware Infection Risk

Some researchers have discovered that over 80% of free VPNs contain a computer virus. You might also download malware that causes havoc on your system when you download these free VPNs. These findings concern us, especially given how frequently malware gathers private information. Imagine the damage to your business even if just one employee unintentionally infects a computer using a free VPN. Therefore, employee training should now be mandatory in any company’s cybersecurity plans.

Injected Ads

Most free online services contain advertising. Since the users are not paying for the service, it is how the supplier gets paid. These commercials can be incredibly aggravating, but that’s not even the worst part. Malicious browser extensions, ad injections, and malware that alter the browsing experience may affect your internet users. The unwanted injected ads will also reroute users to websites compromised with malware or infected with pop-ups. If you unintentionally click on the links, you might seriously harm your system and expose yourself to phishing assaults.

Slow Internet Streaming

Any VPN you use will encrypt and decrypt your data to protect the anonymity of your internet activity, which will slow down your connection. Most premium VPN subscriptions employ servers that can easily manage these additional tasks, reducing any slowdown you may notice. On the other side, you will undoubtedly notice the delay when using a free VPN. You’ll probably lose a lot of time waiting for web pages to load.

Finding the best VPN with the aid of an MSP

If you use a free VPN, search for one with open-source code bases, strong encryption, fast connections, no pop-up ads every few minutes, and independent audits. High-quality and safe free VPNs may exist, but they will be very challenging to find.

The best course of action is to choose a trustworthy VPN service that offers top-notch security at an affordable price. You can benefit from the free trial offered by most VPNs to determine if it’s the right choice for you. Your dependable MSP can help you find the best VPN for your unique requirements.

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Internet Safety vs. Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity Strategy: Part 2

There appears to be a misunderstanding regarding the differences between data security and online safety. Even though we live in the digital age, many individuals may still view these words as technical jargon they do not understand. It is essential to distinguish between these two ideas for total online protection.

Internet safety means protecting users from questionable or harmful content online, while cybersecurity means protecting data and information safe from hackers.

Businesses and individuals protect themselves from internet threats in a variety of ways. But you might question why there are still so many victims with our abundance of safety solutions. The reason might be that most individuals don’t know which security measures to use, given the abundance of options available.

What Is Online Security?

Internet safety is essentially the state of feeling secure when using the internet. This action covers many security procedures, techniques, software, and other safety procedures. It primarily concerns the security of the users of the internet. For enterprises, internet safety means that your staff is safe when using the internet.

Internet safety encompasses safe communication techniques, raising awareness of online hazards, understanding what to do and what not to do online, and other safety tips. To keep your business safe, you must educate your workforce on the best internet safety practices.

Cybersecurity: What Is It?

Computer network safety is the responsibility of your cybersecurity experts, which

protects you from hackers and other online threats. MSPs ensure cyber protection through sophisticated network security systems and data encryption techniques, which are far more technical than most of us will work with.

Modern business owners frequently struggle with hiring a cybersecurity specialist or tackling the task themselves. One disadvantage of hiring a professional is the cost. For many firms, it can also entail a total revamp of their current system, which can be an extra expense. The newest internet protection you need currently, however, is best installed by an IT specialist.

A Strategic Business Approach to Online Safety and Cybersecurity

It is more important than ever to put defensive measures in place to secure your data from online attacks. These days, we store almost all our data in various places, like off-site storage facilities or the cloud. One of the crucial actions you must take is collaborating with a cloud cybersecurity specialist.

A managed service provider specializing in cybersecurity can provide your company with a wide range of security options. They can handle everything for you, from network and data to backup and recovery devices. They can also help you with other facets of your daily operations. In our eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Hiring a Superstar IT Solutions Provider for Businesses, you can learn more about what an MSP can accomplish for you.

While working with an MSP is almost required, there are several things you can do on your own to prevent your company from falling prey to cyberattacks. For instance, enhancing your defenses against internet threats by providing employee training is effective. You can avoid many attacks if you inform your crew of the proper safety procedures.

We can assist you if you want to learn more about cybersecurity, internet safety, and how to safeguard your organization when employees are online. Our free downloadable eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Hiring a Superstar IT Solutions Provider for Businesses” will give you lots of tips on working with the MSP that’s best for you. Call us today, and we’ll create a security plan that works for you!

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Improve your Cybersecurity with a Managed Service Provider

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Cybersecurity Strategy: Part 1

Although many are reluctant to admit it, many organizations today are ill-prepared to handle cybersecurity threats. They are likely to suffer significant data loss and many types of operational disruptions in the event of an internet attack. This gap is because many companies still do not have partnerships with managed service providers who can offer them protection against cyberattacks.

When running a business, being self-reliant is a sign of strength. Peers respect and admire companies that are competent in managing the various operations of their business on their own. If a company can stand on its own two feet and prosper, it is truly pretty astounding. Self-reliance, however, may not always be the wisest course of action. The best illustration of this is cybersecurity. Let’s look at how a managed service provider can help you make better cybersecurity decisions.

The Contributions an MSP Can Make to Your Cybersecurity Plan

You might only use a basic anti-malware program and safety precautions on your own, but an MSP like us can significantly improve the cybersecurity strategy of your business. Your current level of security can defend against simple threats, but it is ineffective in the event of a severe cybercriminal attack. However, if you work with us, you’ll have the best defense against even the most modern malware and other online threats.

Threat Assessment

Online threats come in many forms and severity levels for various industries. When we come onboard, we will consider all elements to evaluate the vulnerability of your business to threats. We’ll also monitor all your online activity to spot any coming attacks.

Additional Network Security

An MSP’s duties include evaluating your current network setup and adjusting it for more security from internet threats. To prevent any efforts from online infiltration and prevent them from inflicting damage, we may deploy firewalls, set up endpoint detection tools, and install other measures depending on the results.

Data backup and encryption

One of our primary goals in our cybersecurity approach is safeguarding your data. There is no way to predict what hackers will do to your information or how they will exploit sensitive or secret data once they have it in their possession. By employing an encryption mechanism, we will safeguard your data even if the bad guys steal it. Lost or stolen data is also recoverable with a backup disaster recovery device.

Emergency Recovery

A solid disaster recovery plan can assist you in quickly resuming operations for your company if an attack succeeds and causes extensive damage to your network and data. We can undoubtedly be of great help in this area. The quicker you recover, the fewer losses you will have to endure.

Training on Security Awareness

Most MSPs’ duties include managing your system and installing security-related tools and software. But we go a step further by educating your staff about security awareness and providing them with the knowledge they need to recognize and thwart avoidable attacks. In fact, by having your workers complete this Employee Readiness Check, you can determine their level of cyber safety right now. The outcomes can be more concerning than you expect.

These are just a few benefits that a trustworthy MSP will provide for your company. As you can see in our downloadable eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Hiring a Superstar IT Solutions Provider for Businesses,” there are a ton of additional advantages you’ll have available.

Contact us if you have any questions!

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Cyber Insurance and Compliance: How it Can Help Your Business Meet Regulatory Requirements

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Cybersecurity Insurance: Part 2

As the threat of cyberattacks continues to grow, businesses must take proactive steps to protect their data and systems. Compliance with regulatory requirements is a key aspect of this, but navigating the complex landscape of regulations can be challenging. That’s where cyber insurance comes in. By providing an additional layer of protection against cyber threats and helping businesses meet compliance requirements, cyber insurance can be an important component of an overall cybersecurity strategy. In this article, we’ll explore how cyber insurance can help your business meet regulatory requirements and protect against cyber threats.

Understanding Compliance Requirements

To meet regulatory requirements, businesses must typically implement a range of security controls and measures, such as firewalls, access controls, and encryption. They must also have policies and procedures in place to help ensure that these measures are properly implemented and maintained.

Some of the key compliance frameworks and regulations that businesses may need to comply with include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).

How Cyber Insurance Can Help

Cyber insurance provides an additional layer of protection against virtual threats. By having cyber insurance in place, businesses can demonstrate to regulators that they are taking cybersecurity seriously and take preventative steps to protect their data and systems.

Some policies may even provide coverage for regulatory fines and penalties, which can help businesses manage the financial impact of noncompliance. Others can provide access to risk management resources and services, such as security assessments and employee training, which can help businesses improve their cybersecurity posture and meet compliance requirements.

In conclusion, by having cyber insurance in place, businesses can both look good to regulators and feel good about their organization’s protection. Cyber insurance can be an important component of an overall cybersecurity strategy, helping businesses to meet regulatory requirements and manage risk.

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Cyber Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance: What’s the difference, and why does it matter?

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Cybersecurity Insurance: Part 1

As cyber threats become increasingly prevalent, businesses are looking for ways to protect themselves against potential data breaches and cyberattacks. Two common types of insurance that businesses may consider are cyber insurance and general liability insurance. While both types of insurance provide protection, they cover different types of risks. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the difference between cyber insurance and general liability insurance, and why it’s important for businesses to understand the distinction between the two.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance covers businesses against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. This type of insurance is typically required by law and intended to protect businesses against legal liability for accidents that may occur on their property or as a result of their operations.

General liability insurance may cover a wide range of incidents, such as slip-and-fall accidents, property damage caused by your employees, and advertising injuries, such as libel or slander. However, it typically does not cover losses related to cyberattacks.

Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance, on the other hand, is specifically designed to protect businesses against losses related to cyberattacks. Coverage can include a wide range of incidents, from data breaches to cyber extortion to business interruption caused by a cyber incident.

Cyber insurance policies may also cover a variety of expenses, such as forensic investigations, legal fees, notification costs, credit monitoring, and public relations expenses. Some policies also provide coverage for loss of income or extra expenses incurred as a result of a cyberattack.

The Difference Between Cyber Insurance and General Liability Insurance

As emphasized in the descriptions above, the main difference between cyber insurance and general liability insurance is the type of incidents that they cover.

Why Does it Matter?

As cyber threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to protect themselves against cyberattacks. While general liability insurance is an important form of protection for businesses, it is not sufficient to cover losses related to cyberattacks. Cyber insurance can provide an added layer specifically-designed protection.

By understanding these distinctions, businesses can better protect themselves against a wide range of threats. With the right insurance coverage in place, businesses can focus on what they do best, knowing that they are protected against the unexpected.

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Training your Team to be the Best!

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March Madness of Cybersecurity: Part 2

Cyber threats are always on the rise, and businesses are constantly looking for ways to protect themselves. One of the most effective ways to train your team is through gamification.

What’s That?

Gamification is the process of using game design elements and principles in non-game contexts to engage users and solve problems. It is a powerful tool that can help organizations improve employee training and development. Gamification can be used to create immersive and interactive learning experiences that are more engaging and effective than traditional training methods. It makes learning more fun and interactive by incorporating game elements such as points, badges, levels, and leaderboards. This helps employees stay engaged and motivated to learn!

How It Works

We include this approach in our own cybersecurity training program for your team. This includes phishing simulations and scenarios that replicate real-world cybersecurity threats. This allows employees to experience and learn how to deal with cyber-attacks in a safe and controlled environment.

This can provide immediate feedback to employees, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and improve their skills. This can help identify areas where employees need further training or support.

It can also reinforce learning by incorporating repetition and feedback. This can help employees retain information and apply it in real-life situations.

And finally, it’s fun. Gamification can create a sense of competition and motivation to learn among employees. This can lead to improved learning outcomes and a stronger cybersecurity culture within the organization.

This effective tool for training employees and improving cybersecurity is just one component of our solution. By making learning more engaging, interactive, and effective, it can lead to a better-trained workforce and a more secure organization.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations must invest in employee training and development to stay ahead of the curve, and we can help your business to achieve this.

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The MVP of Your Business’s Cybersecurity is YOU!

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March Madness of Cybersecurity: Part 1

As a small or medium-sized business owner, you may not have the same level of resources as large corporations. However, that doesn’t mean you should overlook the importance of protecting your business from cyber threats.

Identifying the most critical aspects of your business that need protection and focusing your resources on those areas is a start, but there’s one component that can protect the business as a whole: your team.

The “MVP” or Most Valuable Player mindset puts your employees at the forefront of defense.

We can help you to make your entire team a roster of MVPs. We’ll perform a security risk assessment to identify gaps or any risks. This will review your business’s digital assets, including customer data, financial information, and intellectual property. We will identify which of these assets are critical to your business’s success and could cause the most damage if they were compromised.

Next, we’ll implement measures to protect those critical assets. This will include using strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and encryption to secure your data. We will also implement our ongoing cybersecurity training program. This will help your employees recognize and avoid potential threats like phishing emails or malware.

Then we’ll create a plan in place for responding to a cyber-attack. This will include clear protocols for reporting and responding to security incidents, and make sure all employees are aware of the steps they should take in the event of an attack.

We’ll regularly review and update your cybersecurity measures as new threats emerge. By taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity and focusing your resources on protecting your most valuable assets, you can help reduce the risk of a damaging cyber-attack on your SMB.

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Compliance is a Team Project

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Compliance Series: Part 3

With all the rules and regulations surrounding the compliance alphabet soup in play today, it will take more than one person to bring your company in line. We’ve laid out the multiple roles needed to up your compliance game, especially when it comes to HIPAA, PCI, and GDPR.

IT Team

Your first line of defense against compliance failures is the technology in use and the team you have to maintain it. Consult with your IT team to discuss:

  • Email Encryption: How are emails and files that go in and out of your office protected to avoid nefarious hands and revealing identifying information?
  • Data Encryption: How do you collect and retain credit card information? Are there any gaps where that information could be stored or released in an identifiable way?
  • Firewall: Are you protecting your company data and communications using a screen door that is easily opened by hackers, or are you using a multi-level security system preventing intrusions?
  • Backups: How often, when and where is your precious company information backed up? Can you test your backups to prove that they’re effective? Is your current backup plan compliant with regards to customer data?
  • Data Availability and Storage: Who has access to your data? Only certain individuals in your company should be able to access all data, like financial records or payment information. How are you restricting access on your network or within line of business applications to ensure safety?
  • Physical Access: Who can actually access computer systems and servers? Do you train your staff to lock their systems every time they leave their desks? Are you using privacy filters on appropriate screens to avoid wandering eyes?

Internal Compliance Officer

While this may not need to be a full-time role within your organization, you should have a compliance champion on staff. Your IT company can absolutely set you up for success, but they are not around to police your staff every hour of the workday.

The Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that your staff follows important compliance policies, maintains vigilance surrounding compliance, keeps documentation up to date, and works with authorities if necessary. Specifically, they:

  • Watch for employees falling into bad habits, like leaving computers unlocked or sending credit card data willy-nilly throughout the organization.
  • Conduct/coordinate online or in-person training to keep compliance top of mind. We recommend quarterly training, at least, in addition to proper education as soon as a new employee comes on board.
  • Maintain all the documentation required for compliance, like backup plans and communication standards.
  • Liaison with federal and state regulators, as necessary to prevent or mitigate an issue (with the support of your IT Team and legal team).

All Employees

You can have the best technology, the most intense compliance officer, and still completely fail at successful compliance if your employees are not onboard. At the end of the day, it comes down to successful employee implementation and clear communication. In order to get employee buy-in, here is what we recommend:

  • Gather everyone together: When you first make tweaks to your company’s security protocols to ensure compliance, explain why to your team. If they suddenly all need to remember 16-character passwords, replace those passwords every 90 days and have 5-minute time outs on their systems; they’d appreciate learning it’s not because you’re paranoid. You can utilize your IT Team to conduct this meeting.
  • Send regular reminders: It’s simple to fall into what’s “easier” rather than compliant. Consider sending a weekly or monthly compliance tip to all of your staff to keep it top of mind.
  • Conduct ongoing trainings: These trainings should be mandatory, involve your IT team, and vary enough to stay interesting. Quarterly should be sufficient unless some regulation change calls for additional meetings.
  • Multi-departmental planning: Different teams have different uses for data. For example, what makes the salesperson tick may make it impossible for accounting to operate within compliance. When it comes to collecting information that must be compliant, every department must be involved in process development to create smooth operation within rules and regulations.

Compliance is not a one-man game. It involves the whole company and IT team engagement to really be successful. Next blog, we’ll cover the processes necessary to build a compliance-friendly environment.

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