Why you may need to reevaluate your cybersecurity situation if you’re a small business

Why you may need to reevaluate your cybersecurity situation if you’re a small business

The Importance of Small Businesses in the U.S.

Despite what people may perceive, small businesses make up almost 99.9% of businesses in America, employing nearly half the workforce. There are more than 30 million small businesses in America and each year, they largely contribute to jobs that are added to the economy. In 2019 alone, small businesses created 1.6 million jobs, on net.

Therefore, the stability of the small business community is not only crucial to individual owners, but also to everyone who participates in the American economy. Large threats to small businesses have widespread effects across our country. And in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening our small businesses is even more important.

Evolving Cybersecurity Threats

According to the US Small Business Administration, cyber-attacks are a growing threat for small businesses. In the past, small businesses weren’t considered as big of a target as larger businesses. But cyber attackers have shifted their focus to small businesses because they often lack the necessary security infrastructure that many larger companies now have in place.

Small Business Vulnerabilities

Before technology became so prevalent in the business world, small businesses did not rely on many technological systems to run their daily operations. Now, whether or not they realize it, many of their daily functions depend on sound and safe technological operations.

Many small business owners rely on software, cloud computing, payment processing, and connectivity to run their businesses. These parts of a business are vulnerable to malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing. Cyberattacks like the aforementioned can end up being very costly and can put sensitive client information at risk.

If any technology-based services are attacked and consequently, interrupted, it would have a massive effect on a small business’s ability to operate.

Why Small Businesses Lack Protection

A recent SBA survey found that 88% of small businesses owners felt their business was vulnerable to a cyber-attack. Despite this fact, oftentimes, the task of increasing security infrastructure seems daunting to small business owners. They may think it’s too costly or overly complicated.

Although cybersecurity may not seem as important as other more tangible facets of a business, it is crucial to maintaining workflow and ensuring that small businesses can meet their clients’ needs.

Finding a Solution

Investing in cybersecurity solutions can save business owners from larger costs and headaches down the road. Ignoring these growing threats is dangerous to owners, employees, and the American economy-at large.

The truth is that there are low-cost solutions offered by managed service providers that can easily protect small businesses from the threats that they may face. And the first step is knowing where your gaps are through a risk assessment and evaluation.

Diriga Technologies offers a complimentary security screening to help identify your company’s weaknesses and to see how we may be able to help. Click here to schedule a free consultation.