Scary stat: 87% of businesses hit by this in the last year

You may think that cyber-attacks only happen to large corporations. But unfortunately, that's not the case.

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According to a recent report, almost two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) suffered at least one cyber-attack over the past year. That's a staggering number, and it should serve as a wake-up call for businesses everywhere.

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But it gets worse.

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More and more businesses are also experiencing repeat attacks, with 87% reporting at least two successful attacks over the past year. And on average, a company suffers almost five successful cyber incidents.

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Terrifying.

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The question is, why are these attacks happening, and what can you do to prevent them?

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The most common types of cyber-attack that businesses face are malware and ransomware.

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Malware is malicious software. It invades your system and can cause all sorts of problems, from slowing down your operations to stealing your data.

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Ransomware is even more dangerous as it encrypts your data, making it impossible for you to access it unless you pay a ransom fee. This can be devastating for any business and can lead to significant losses and downtime.

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What factors are contributing to more successful attacks?

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One reason is the rise in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). This means employees using their personal devices to access company information, which can be risky.

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Another factor is the explosion of productivity apps, which can create security vulnerabilities if not properly secured.

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Finally, the number of devices we're using now means there are more entry points for cyber criminals to exploit.

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The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your business. Here are five solid security steps you can take.

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1.??????Use strong passwords: Passwords are your first line of defense, so make sure they're strong and unique. Better yet, use a password manager that can create and remember randomly generated passwords.

2.?????Keep software up to date: Software updates often contain security fixes, so make sure you're always running the latest version. This applies to both your operating system and all applications you use.

3.?????Train your staff: Educate your employees on how to identify phishing emails and other scams. You can also run regular security awareness training sessions to keep everyone up to date.

4.?????Backup your data: Doing this means if you do suffer a cyber attack, you can restore your systems quickly and with less disruption

5.?????Use antivirus software: This can help protect your systems from malware and other threats. Make sure you're running a reputable and up-to-date solution

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Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Take action today to help you stay protected.

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And if that seems like a lot of extra work, let us help. Get in touch today.

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