According to CheckPoint research, cyber attacks on businesses increased by 30% in Q2 2024. Statista adds that these attacks have also become more targeted and complex, negatively impacting not only the financial state of the companies but also their reputation. Unfortunately, small businesses tend to be more prone to cyber-attacks for several reasons: lack of resources, in-house expertise, or poor security culture. All these factors increase the number of attacks on small businesses, causing significant financial and reputational damage.

In this article, we discuss the most effective ways for small businesses to enhance their security and create a more safeguarded digital environment.

Cybersecurity solutions for small businesses: top strategies

Being an ISO 27001-certified company, SoftTeco understands the importance of cybersecurity and is committed to maintaining a high level of security across all company levels. If your organization needs cybersecurity training or extra support in establishing robust defense, do not hesitate to request cybersecurity services from SoftTeco. We use our extensive experience to provide cybersecurity services for small businesses and to help companies set up a reliable cybersecurity strategy with their available resources. Meanwhile, we invite you to look at the cybersecurity tips that any small business can adopt, including the ones with limited expertise and resources. Also, note that the mentioned strategies can be adjusted according to the size and complexity of your business. Cybersecurity consulting can also be a valid option for a small business. For small businesses seeking comprehensive protection, leveraging managed IT services alongside cybersecurity solutions ensures ongoing vigilance against emerging threats. Providers such as Corsica Technologies specialize in delivering integrated managed IT, proactive cybersecurity measures, and data integration supporting organizations that lack dedicated in-house expertise while strengthening their digital infrastructure.

Train your employees

Employee negligence remains among the top reasons behind security breaches within an organization. Common cyber threats like phishing or password hacking result in massive financial losses, and an employee may be unaware of the threat. Thus, the first step towards better security is employee training on the basics of the world of cybersecurity. Some of the things to discuss may include:

• Explain the most common threats and recommend acting if an employee encounters one. The most basic example is phishing. Every employee within your organization should understand phishing and what to do if they see a suspicious email in their mailbox.
• Highlight the importance of using strong passwords and ensuring well-organized password management processes. The simplest yet highly effective way to enforce security is to use strong passwords and avoid storing them.
• Educate employees on how to manage sensitive data appropriately and securely. This is especially important for organizations that daily process large amounts of customer-sensitive data.
• Use licensed software only, and do not allow the installation of any software without the approval of your IT department.

Know your environment

Another critical yet straightforward thing in the list of cybersecurity solutions for small businesses is an inventory of the assets and understanding of your digital environment. This is needed to clearly understand what needs protection and what assets might be the targets for cyber attacks — a process that Beetroot Cybersecurity services can help streamline. Hence, take a full inventory of the following things:

• All devices and software that are connected to your environment;
• All apps that run in your system;
• Levels of access;
• Data that you collect and process.

By analyzing the current hardware and software in use, you will be able to more easily identify weak areas and bottlenecks and design a solid security strategy that covers all necessary aspects.

Backup the data

Data backups are an effective way to secure data and ensure it remains accessible in case of system corruption or attacks like ransomware. It is recommended that you implement automated data backups (preferably once a week) and use various backup strategies, including cloud and physical backups.

Review access rights

Different user groups should have different system access levels to minimize security risks and ensure that a limited number of people can access sensitive data. Also, check whether you have a principle of limited privilege in place. The PoLP means that users should have access only to those resources or data they need to complete their work. In this way, the system becomes more secure since the possibility of a human error or a malicious attack from the inside is minimized.

Implement multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA for short) is a highly effective way to combat cyber threats and prevent unauthorized access. It usually includes three critical components: a password, a security token, and a biometric verification. That means, upon entering a password, the user will also have to enter a one-time security token and even provide biometric verification. This approach makes the whole authentication process more complex and difficult to hack, thus greatly minimizing the possibility of an account theft.

Use firewalls

A firewall is a system that restricts traffic within a private network and serves as a solid level of defense against cyber attacks. Businesses use firewalls to protect inbound and outbound traffic, a must-have for any organization. Note that you can configure your firewall to perform various functions (in addition to default ones): for example, a firewall can restrict the sending out sensitive data from your organization. One more important thing: do not forget to update your firewall regularly since updates serve as additional security patches.

Update your software regularly

One more actionable tip regarding cybersecurity for small businesses is implementing regular software updates. Software updates serve as security patches and help prevent the majority of the most common cyber threats. Vendors constantly release new (and improved!) software versions and corresponding updates, so monitor them and adopt them immediately. This will improve not only the security of your software but also its performance and user experience.

Final word

Cyber security remains a critical issue for any organization that operates in a digital environment and processes sensitive data. To ensure your assets are safeguarded, have robust security practices and communicate their importance to all employees. Cybersecurity should occur on all organizational levels, and all employees should be able to ask questions and receive corresponding training, if necessary. Also, do not hesitate to contact an experienced provider for cybersecurity services if you need extra assistance understanding the basics of cybersecurity.