5 Small Business Cybersecurity Mistakes

Cyberattacks continue to be a growing concern for small businesses. In fact, 43 percent of cyberattacks target SMBs. So, what can be done to reduce the number of threats? Start by addressing any flaws in your current cybersecurity practices.

One of the most overlooked mistakes is that small businesses believe they are too small to be a target. When we think of cyberattacks, we imagine enterprise takeovers with large-sum payouts. This is not always the case, though. Any business that handles confidential information can consider itself a target.

Here are 5 common small business cybersecurity mistakes to steer clear of:

1.) Failure to Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA, 2FA)

Multi-factor authentication is a method of authentication in which users are required to provide 2+ verification factors to gain access to a website, application, etc. The interesting thing about MFA is the types of factors; users can be asked to provide something they know (password), something they have (smartphone), or something they are (fingerprint) to ensure secure access.

Without multi-factor authentication, businesses are at a much higher risk of facing cyberattacks. Since the second level of protection is not there, a compromised password is all it takes for hackers to enter your system.

2.) Using the Same Passwords

It’s important for small businesses to remember the basics of cybersecurity. Remind your employees to create unique passwords for each account they use and update them regularly. This small step can have a big impact on both internal and external threats. If hackers steal credentials for one site’s login, there’s a high chance they would attempt to use the same credentials on another.

Moral of the story is, stop reusing old passwords. There are many password manager applications out there that provide secure storage like Bitwarden, LastPass, and 1Password. They also have built-in password suggestions to give you secure options.

3.) Lack of Routine Security Testing

Ever wonder how easy it would be for a hacker to steal your business’s information? Small businesses should get regular cybersecurity testing to make sure they are secure in the event of an attack.

Penetration testing, a common security test, is when a cybersecurity expert conducts a simulated attack to exploit any vulnerabilities in a business’s computer system. The test should be done multiple times throughout the year to catch any flaws in the system.

4.) Postponing Software Updates

When updates are ignored, it becomes much easier for hackers to compromise your information. Although it’s tempting to click ‘Remind Me Later’ every day, your small business needs to stay on top of software updates to maintain security.

Software updates are designed to patch any security holes, bugs, or coding mistakes in the current version. As technology improves each day, so do the methods of hackers. If you continue to use older versions of software, hackers are more likely to get access to your information.

5.) Relying on One Person

It’s no secret that small business owners wear many hats. Cybersecurity should not be something that an owner sets up and forgets. In the best interest of the business, owners should hand the cybersecurity reigns over to qualified experts.

Opal Business Solutions offers multi-layered cybersecurity solutions to protect your business. We are a trusted Microsoft Gold Partner with experienced professionals who put your business’s security first. Click below to get a deeper look into Opal Security.

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