It is a fact that cyber-attacks on SMEs are increasing. Many SMEs believe that they possess little value to attackers and that cyber criminals will target the potentially much larger gains from bigger businesses – this is simply not true. SME’s are targeted because typically there is less investment, training and awareness devoted to staff and technical security in these enterprises. Unfortunately, the financial returns can be vast and this is a huge incentive for criminals. According to government research, the costs to an SME associated with each criminal cyber fraud is in the range of £75,000 to £311,000. That is totaled from direct expenses of:
• Lost cash resources
• Lost revenues whilst unable to trade
• Containment and remediation activity
• Replacement hardware and software
More importantly, the above figures do not include indirect costs such as rebuilding a damaged reputation or costs imposed as a penalty for losing data. At the present time, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can levy financial penalties of up to £500,000 against entities who have incurred a serious data breach. This is why it is now more imperative than ever for SMEs to invest in cyber security.
At IntaForensics we specialise in providing cyber security advice and assistance; the following guide will assist you on how to stay cyber secure.
How to Stay Cyber Secure:
1) Invest in quality anti-virus protection
First and foremost, invest in quality anti-virus protection. It may seem obvious, but on a day-to-day basis, anti-virus software is your first line of defense against viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, malware and other forms of malicious activity. Infections typically lead to a loss of control meaning no access to essential data or in the worst case scenario, result in the destruction of files. Ensuring that you use a quality anti-virus protection is a priority. Capabilities and licensing costs vary from product to product, but it is essential to implement an application that will cover the amount of devices you need
protecting.
Make sure the software is installed correctly and is running at all times, ensuring that when there is an update notification – that it is actioned immediately. Reputable anti-virus providers keep their databases up-to-date with the latest threats. By ensuring your software is also up-to-date, this means your anti-virus can identify, quarantine and even eradicate the latest malware. Do not risk even a day without your anti-virus running or, even worse, not installed.
Reputable Anti-Virus software brands include amongst others:
• McAfee
• Kaspersky
• Norton
• Bullguard
• Sophos