The Importance of Cyber Security for Small Businesses

Rapid digitalisation and the increasing use of online transactions has made users more vulnerable than ever to cyber-attacks. Small businesses in particular, are vulnerable, as they are more likely to not have the adequate safeguarding measures in place to stop such a threat, and as a result the consequences can be hard felt.

Cyber security should be considered one of the highest priorities for those responsible for the safety and survival of a small business, and especially if organisation has recently undergone serious growth or implemented new technology in the workplace. Here’s what small businesses need to know about the necessity of investing in cyber security.

Small businesses store sensitive data on their computer systems to help run their organisation – this can include anything from staff’s personal information, customer details and financial results. Due to the sensitivity of such information, a cyber-attack could result in extensive information leaks, which can have long term damage on the business owners’ reputation and drastic economic repercussions such as expensive legal fees, a loss of revenue and ultimately a loss of customer confidence in your business.

To have the best chance at staying protected against the internet, small businesses should invest in the right

technology at every opportunity, which will not only maximise the performance of employees, but it will keep private business information protected at all times. A study completed by Sync in ‘The Impact of Mac in Small & Medium Businesses Whitepaper’ revealed 97% of small and medium UK businesses love the security of Mac – due to its built-in security tools. Whether it be a Mac computer or another, highly-secured device, a business needs to have the right technology in place to carry out its role of safeguarding 24/7.

Cyber security cannot be solved in a day, it requires around the clock care if you really wish to keep your business on the path for growth without the threat of an online attack. And there are several measures to keep your organisation protected against the threat of a cyber-attack.

For workforces using Apple technology for example, the products are built with privacy in mind, including virus and malware protection (or a prevention system, like app-signing and sandboxing), a local firewall, and encryption. This means that all these devices are already secured by design and will therefore be dependable once they are set up. Ensuring staff complete regular software updates will also protect their devices from emerging security threats. And ensure your technology has builtin, customisable safeguards in place to make sure that both third-party and in-house apps can only access data in authorised ways.

Therefore, it’s important to invest in technology that delivers safeguarding and cyber security from the moment it’s plugged in, to boost confidence in said technology and ensure that the wider organisation is as safe as possible from various cyber threats.

Instead of just purchasing a cyber security ‘package’, small businesses can benefit from creating its own, bespoke risk prevention and crisis management strategy. This will look at how to prevent a cyber-attack, and provide the best way of responding should data ever be compromised. Protecting data, particularly customer data, is vital and needs to be secured at all costs, or businesses could face legal issues and economic costs.

However, it is also important to get services back to normal as quickly as possible so customers can retain faith and have a positive experience with your business, even in times of crisis. Businesses should consider cyber security and crisis communications training to understand what to do and what not do if, and when such a threat comes along, which will ensure your business can maintain it’s solid, hardworking reputation with minimum disruption to services. Businesses

can also provide staff with data protection awareness training, to help raise awareness of phishing risks.

Small businesses can stay one step ahead of the game if they please, by researching common cyber threats and devising tailor-made strategies to deal with each problem swiftly when it arises. Business leaders should consider Cyber Essentials, a cyber security standard, Government backed scheme created by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Even if small businesses don’t certify to Cyber Essentials, they can still benefit by reviewing the standard, and understanding how to close the most common vulnerabilities that businesses face. These considerations will allow businesses to promptly respond to a digital crisis, meaning they can get services back to normal with less of an impact on the customer experience.

By developing a security-focused culture in the workplace with participation and support from all employees, the right security protocols will be in position if a hacker does attack, and in the age of rapid digitalisation and growing online threats, it’s a culture that needs to be embraced fast.

Scott Bordoni , Sync Head of Operations.