The number of cyber-attacks targeting SMEs has doubled
in the past year. It is now crucial to understand how weaknesses in
your digital network could threaten the companies you work
with.
The number of targeted cyber attacks on businesses with 250 or
fewer employees rose from 18% in 2011 to 36% in 2012, according to
a recent intelligence report from software company Symantec.
Meanwhile, the number of attacks on large companies has
dropped.
Why? Cyber criminals are focusing on small businesses because
they are easier to hack, as unfortunately all too many small
companies believe that the data they hold will be of little use to
criminals. But it's not necessarily your data the criminals are
interested in - it's that of any larger businesses you supply or
work with.
Hackers use your network as a portal to access bigger companies
you work with - so if you're not digitally watertight, you risk
exposing all your clients and suppliers to data leaks and cyber
threats.
"It seems attackers are diverting their resources directly from
large businesses to smaller ones," says Paul Wood, cyber security
intelligence manager at Symantec.
"You do not want your business to be the weakest link in the
supply chain." Information is power, and the attackers know this,
and successful attacks can result in significant financial
advantage for the cyber criminals behind them. Access to
intellectual property and strategic intelligence can give them huge
advantages in a competitive market."
You really don't want to be the reason a client gets hacked by
these increasingly sophisticated criminals, many of whom are part
of an organised crime network.
The results from Symantec's intelligence report showed that one
in every 209.9 email in the UK was identified as malicious.
Even letting your staff log onto the companies wifi through their
own devices can be harmful. It can allow criminals to sidestep
security measures that you have in place.
Sorry if we're sounding so stern, but we think it's something
that small business should be aware of as the potential cost of
seeing your customers information stolen is a hit from which a
small business is unlikely to recover.
Please comment below if your business has been targeted by cyber
criminals and let us know your experience.
So what should you do to protect your business, and those that
you work with? A good place to look for more information and find
out what type of security might best suit your business is, www.getsafeonline.org also check out our guide
on keeping your data secure by clicking here.