Cybersecurity Services Can Safeguard Your Data and Intellectual Property from Common Threats
We officially live in a digital world that runs on data. Businesses of all sizes are transitioning away from hardcopy files, opting to store their sensitive data on secure servers or in the cloud. In the wake of the pandemic, many organizations remain on a hybrid or 100% remote work schedule, which means the bulk of communications are conducted through video, chat, and email.
Computers, smartphones, and other Internet-connected devices are integral to how the modern business operates. They also happen to be the target of cybercriminals who wish to steal company data, compromise the organization’s network, and perform other malicious acts.
According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), 47% of Americans have had personal information exposed due to cybercrime. NPR reports that 70% of ransomware attacks were aimed at small businesses. The cybercrime trend is showing no signs of slowing down. Astra recently reported that cybercrime recovery costs will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
These statistics illustrate why cybersecurity for business is a critical investment. A cybersecurity breach can result in compromised or destroyed data, unplanned company downtime, and loss of customer confidence.
The Top Cybersecurity Threats Organizations Face
Unfortunately, cybercrime takes many forms, which means that organizations must be mindful of all of them. Consider the top three cyber security threats that businesses face. Is your company adequately protected?
- Malware attacks: Malware – short for malicious software – is the umbrella term used to describe a variety of cybercrime tactics, including spyware, worms, viruses, adware, ransomware, and more. Once malware has invaded a computer network, it can damage an organization’s data and disrupt their operations.
- Phishing attacks: Widely recognized as one of the most common varieties of cybercrime, phishing attacks attempt to get users to download a malicious file, click on a malicious link, or provide personal information by disguising themselves as the trusted contact. Trend Micro reports that 92% of organizations fell victim to a phishing attack in 2022.
- Ransomware: Thousands of businesses are attacked by ransomware every year. Ransomware encrypts important company data and files so that users cannot access them. The malicious software demands a ransom be paid by a certain time to regain access. If the ransom is not paid, the organization loses their data forever. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2022 report estimates the total average cost to recover from a ransomware attack is around $4.5 million.
How a Breach in Cybersecurity Hurts Businesses
When businesses fail to invest in cybersecurity services, the consequences can be devastating and costly to remedy. The following are some of the most common outcomes of a successful cyberattack.
- Lost or destroyed data
- Unauthorized access to secure or proprietary data
- Unscheduled company downtime
- Reputational damage
- Financial losses
- Loss of customer trust
- Compliance issues
- Unplanned spend on recovery efforts
- Loss of advantage over competitors
Cybersecurity for Businesses and How it Protects Your Organization
Businesses can protect themselves from the pain points associated with cyberattacks by investing in cybersecurity services. This is especially important for small businesses, who are statistically at a higher risk of being targeted. Many cybercriminals view small businesses as easy targets that are more susceptible to being breached.
Organizations should consider the following cybersecurity services:
- Backup and recovery services that ensure data is safely stored and able to be retrieved in the event of a breach.
- Cloud support that maintains a secure cloud infrastructure.
- Dedicated server support that ensures your organization is protected from cybercriminal activity and is properly maintained.
- Email management ensures that malicious actors are kept out of company communications. Emails are encrypted so that unauthorized parties can’t read them.
- Cybersecurity for business training brings employees up to date on what types of cybersecurity threats to watch out for and best IT practices to use to prevent and address them.
How to Arrange a Cybersecurity Assessment for Your Business
Having the right cybersecurity services in place can save an organization countless hours and millions of dollars. By preventing cyberattacks, businesses mitigate unplanned downtime and expenses, which allows them to maintain focus on their customers. Because businesses vary in scope and size, cybersecurity solutions for a business require a tailored approach.
The best first step is to arrange a cybersecurity assessment with Kansas City Managed IT. During your complimentary consultation, we will assess the state of your current cybersecurity measures and provide recommendations that make sense for your organization’s size and IT needs. In addition to developing a comprehensive IT infrastructure and security package, you’ll also receive award-winning customer service to back it up.
Call us at (816) 381-9969 or email us using the contact form on our website.