The SMB Trends Report 5th Edition<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDiscover what’s driving today’s small businesses – and see where they might be headed next.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tDownload the E-Book<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t![\"smb-trends-report-fifth-edition\"](\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/09\/smb-trends-device-image-eu.png\")
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy small business cyber security is so important<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you think it\u2019s only big businesses that have to worry about cyber threats, you might be surprised to know how prolific cyber-attacks against small businesses are. In fact, an FSB report<\/a> shows that there are nearly 10,000 cyber-attacks against small businesses every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis has resulted in more than 530,000 small firms being subjected to phishing scams<\/a> over the past two years, with the annual cost of cyber-attacks against small businesses estimated to be north of \u00a34.5 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese attacks don\u2019t just inflict financial damage on UK institutions; they can destroy a business\u2019s reputation as well. Some of the negative effects of cyber-attacks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Financial losses due to business disruption.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loss of customer trust and damage to industry reputation.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The costs of customer compensation.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compromised data that could fall into the hands of competitors.<\/span> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In a time when creating trust is paramount, it\u2019s easy to see why so many small businesses are creating a cyber security strategy to protect themselves from multiple new threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the top cyber security threats facing small businesses?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Digital threats are emerging regularly, and any cyber security strategy should be frequently revisited. Hackers and malicious actors are growing more sophisticated in their attacks, using readily available sources such as social media pages to gather private information and personalise phishing scams. Keystroke loggers can be deployed to reveal passwords and sensitive data, and entire websites can be held hostage until a ransom is paid into an untraceable account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But despite these advances in cyber-crime techniques and technologies, the most common small business cyber security threat is still the most basic: human error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 5 small business cyber security threats to look out for:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Human error.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weak passwords or re-using passwords across multiple accounts.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Phishing scams.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Malware\/ransomware.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inside threats.<\/span> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6 tips for creating a small business cyber security strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the bad news is that cybercriminals are becoming savvier, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to improve your cyber security strategy and stay a step ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 6 tips for creating a cyber security strategy that safeguards your data, protects your customers<\/a> and keeps your workforce plugged in.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Train the workforce. <\/b>Human error accounts for a huge percentage of cyber-security issues, so it\u2019s imperative that the workforce has been trained to ensure security protocols are met. You can use on-demand training platforms to create custom learning journeys based on your business\u2019s unique security needs or put together a cyber-security handbook that covers all the basics.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Limit third-party apps and the use of personal devices<\/b>. Otherwise known as<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Shadow IT, the use of unsanctioned apps and personal devices in the office, has risen in the age of remote and hybrid work. While shadow IT can offer benefits in terms of boosting productivity, it also presents a security concern, as any vulnerabilities and violations will be beyond the purview of the IT department.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Beware of big phish:<\/b> Phishing attacks can be especially damaging cyber-crimes, and it\u2019s been estimated that the average worker receives 14 phishing emails each year, and <\/span>half<\/a> will respond to a phishing attempt that includes a Voice element. Ensure that the workforce operates on a \u2018zero trust\u2019 policy when receiving calls and emails. <\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Update software or utilise cloud computing platforms<\/a> with automatic updates. <\/b>It\u2019s important to always update your software in order to patch any security vulnerabilities, but if you use a cloud-computing solution this will be handled for you. On top of that, cloud computing solutions often offer customisable security options, so you can choose the level of security that matches your business goals.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use two-factor authentication.<\/b> One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve small business cyber security is to use two-factor authentication. With TFA, users need more than a password to access data, they also need to confirm via their mobile or with a fingerprint. This produces a line of defence against hackers and brute-force cyber-attacks.<\/span> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use VPNs.<\/b> VPNs can encrypt confidential and corporate data through a secure connection so that it\u2019s protected from prying eyes. Devices that are connected to the VPN will use security keys to decode the data, while any attackers would only see the meaningless encrypted data. When using a VPN, it\u2019s paramount that all devices and accounts are kept secure, as one compromised account will give an attacker the \u2018key\u2019 to access everything connected to the VPN.<\/span> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy small business cyber security is so important<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you think it\u2019s only big businesses that have to worry about cyber threats, you might be surprised to know how prolific cyber-attacks against small businesses are. In fact, an FSB report<\/a> shows that there are nearly 10,000 cyber-attacks against small businesses every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This has resulted in more than 530,000 small firms being subjected to phishing scams<\/a> over the past two years, with the annual cost of cyber-attacks against small businesses estimated to be north of \u00a34.5 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These attacks don\u2019t just inflict financial damage on UK institutions; they can destroy a business\u2019s reputation as well. Some of the negative effects of cyber-attacks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a time when creating trust is paramount, it\u2019s easy to see why so many small businesses are creating a cyber security strategy to protect themselves from multiple new threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital threats are emerging regularly, and any cyber security strategy should be frequently revisited. Hackers and malicious actors are growing more sophisticated in their attacks, using readily available sources such as social media pages to gather private information and personalise phishing scams. Keystroke loggers can be deployed to reveal passwords and sensitive data, and entire websites can be held hostage until a ransom is paid into an untraceable account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But despite these advances in cyber-crime techniques and technologies, the most common small business cyber security threat is still the most basic: human error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 5 small business cyber security threats to look out for:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n If the bad news is that cybercriminals are becoming savvier, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to improve your cyber security strategy and stay a step ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 6 tips for creating a cyber security strategy that safeguards your data, protects your customers<\/a> and keeps your workforce plugged in.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shadow IT, the use of unsanctioned apps and personal devices in the office, has risen in the age of remote and hybrid work. While shadow IT can offer benefits in terms of boosting productivity, it also presents a security concern, as any vulnerabilities and violations will be beyond the purview of the IT department.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n
What are the top cyber security threats facing small businesses?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6 tips for creating a small business cyber security strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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