October means Halloween. But along with make-believe ghost and goblins, New England businesses face very real security threats: Hackers, ransomware, and much more. We’re reminded of our vulnerabilities constantly, as businesses join the “Data Breach of the Month Club.” And given this is the spooky season, it’s appropriate the Department of Homeland Security has designated October National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
We know our vulnerability to cyber assaults is serious. In recent years, Sony Pictures, Home Depot, and other huge corporations have suffered successful penetrations, with massive data loss. In the past month, we’ve heard that the shortcomings of just one information technologist caused Equifax’ recent hacking nightmare — which allegedly exposed the sensitive data of 146 million Americans.
SMBs Face Greater Data Breach Risks
All companies are vulnerable to cyber assaults. But most at risk are small- and medium-sized businesses, as recent survey research from the Ponemon Institute indicates. For instance, in a September 2017 news release, Ponemon stated:
- More than 61 percent of SMBs had suffered a breach in the prior 12 months
- That is up from 55 percent in 2016
- The damage from a successful SMB-aimed attack carries a $1 million price tag
Turn To Integrated Security Platforms
When it comes to cybersecurity, SMBs are at a relative disadvantage — they don’t have the resources of an enterprise to draw from in cash, technology, and manpower. Also, there is a tendency for the SMB information technology staff (if there are dedicated IT pros) to just field non-integrated security solutions, or “spray and pray.” This scattershot approach is scary indeed — and not just on Halloween.
One way to overcome these historic SMB limitations is to partner with an IT security solutions provider. Such a partner can centralize the management and monitoring of security solutions. It can also offer enterprise-strength protection, without choking end- user mobility and collaboration. And all these capabilities are available at a reasonable and transparent cost.
So, if you are feeling spooked because of your security gaps, click here and learn about our solutions. We also offer a free security review. Finding the right security solutions provider can ensure you’ll get a treat — and not a cyber trick — this October 31.
Tom Johnson is the director of strategic development at BCS, a Boston-based information technology solutions provider that offers outstanding Cisco-centric voice, data, video and wireless communications infrastructure to companies doing business in New England. He has been helping businesses use technology for strategic planning, management and tax reporting for more than 20 years.
