By Sandra Guille
Better Business Bureau
Many entrepreneurs don’t realize small businesses are at a higher risk for cyberattacks than larger companies, but they are. Small businesses fall into hackers’ cybersecurity “sweet spot” because they have more digital assets to target than an individual consumer has, but less security than a larger enterprise.
Approximately 43 percent of cyberattacks target small businesses, says information from the National Small Business Association; the more staggering statistic is that over 60 percent of those affected by a cyberattack go out of business within six months.
In almost every case, the end goal of a cyberattack is to steal and exploit sensitive data, such as credit card information or a person’s credentials like their social security number, which is then used to misuse the individual’s identity online for the thief’s own personal gain. Just as threatening is the gathering of medical information that is eventually used to commit insurance fraud.
A hacker’s’ techniques and methods of collecting sensitive information evolve constantly and a cyberthreat is a constant unknown. Sometimes, a virus or bug lies dormant in a company server for months until an employee unknowingly clicks on a link or email attachment, causing it to spread throughout the company. Preventative measures like having updated antiviral software or a strong firewall in place will block most attacks – but not all. In fact, there’s no one size fits all solution when it comes to securing the company data.
To help companies take control of their computer capabilities and vulnerabilities, BBB is hosting [UNHACKABLE], an event for small businesses featuring a panel of technical and legal experts ready to give business owners an exciting crash course on cybersecurity. Attendees receive advice from an ethical hacker about preventing cybercrime, discover the ins and outs of system insurance with an adept executive, and learn the liabilities of cyberattacks with an accomplished attorney. Learn more about the event on hacker4hire.org.
Sandra Guile is the Community Outreach Specialist for BBB. She promotes BBB’s message of marketplace ethics through public speaking engagements, presentations, media relations, press releases, web content, and other written materials.
Contact Sandra at (513) 639-9126 or sguile@cincinnati.bbb.org. Your BBB is located at 1 East 4th Street Suite 600 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 – to reach the office, call (513) 421-3015.
