When it comes to cybersecurity, the biggest threats to most SMB’s is not a faceless hacker in a dark room, it is complacency. Many managers and business owners think that since nothing bad has happened yet, then nothing will! This mindset though can lead to disastrous consequences.

The following breaks down the issue of why doing nothing is a major problem and how we can help protect your business.

“It’s Never Happened Before, So Why Worry Now?”

One common mindset we see is the belief that because a business has never been hacked, it is not at risk. This kind of thinking can be extremely dangerous.

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics and just because your business has not been targeted yet doesn’t mean it will never be. Complacency can lull businesses into a false sense of security, but the truth is that every company is a potential target.

I bet you don’t think that because your house has never burnt down that it is not worth buying fire insurance? Cybersecurity works the same way. It is about being proactive, not reactive, and while you might not have yet experienced a cyberattack, that does not mean you are safe in the future.

Cybersecurity: A Mystery to Management

For many SMB owners and managers, cybersecurity is often seen as complex and difficult to understand. It can be an intimidating topic that feels foreign and this lack of understanding often leads to inaction.

When no one in management truly understands how to tackle cybersecurity, it can become easier to just ignore it. Most times, it is not that they don’t care, they just don’t know where to start. The problem is that while management may not focus on cybersecurity, cybercriminals certainly do.

You have a business to run, and cybersecurity might not be your area of expertise and  that is where we come in. As your proactive IT service provider, we can help protect your business from cyberthreats, this means there is one less thing for you to have to worry about it.

“We Don’t Have Anything Worth Stealing”

Another misconception is that a business might think it has nothing worth stealing but this could not be further from the truth.

Every business holds data that cybercriminals find valuable:

• customer information.
• employee records.
• financial data.
• email lists.
• supplier details and price lists.

Something can always be exploited, even if it is to just use your systems to launch attacks against other targets.

Underestimating the value of network and data is a mistake. All businesses, regardless of size, location or industry, have something worth protecting.

Old Software Can Be The Entry Point for Hackers

Many businesses use outdated software as it works fine and everyone knows how to use it. But the catch is that the old software often has known security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.

Just because your current software is working does not mean it is safe. Running outdated systems is like leaving the back door unlocked, and it is only a matter of time before someone walks in.

Upgrading and updating your software is essential for protecting your business from cyberthreats. Yes it may be a hassle but it is essential. We can handle all the updates for you and ensure your systems are always up to date and secure.

The Human Factor: Staff Training Matters

Even with the best technology in place, your business is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is often human error. Well-meaning employees can unintentionally open the door to cybercriminals as they simply want be be helpful.

Without the proper training, staff can fall victim to phishing emails or other social engineering tactics that give hackers access to your systems. It is not about blaming the staff as hackers can appear to be legitimate clients, suppliers or even staff members. Business owners and managers need to provide the necessary  tools and knowledge to regularly train staff members so that they recognise and avoid these threats.

We highly recommend that everyone (including their staff and families) enrol and go through the free cyber security course developed by the Australian government at cyberwardens.com.au. This provides a great starting point in your cyber security training.

Training is an ongoing effort and needs to performed on an regular basis so people can refresh their knowledge and learn about the latest issues. We offer comprehensive staff training programs that are designed to help your team understand the risks and how to avoid them. This way, everyone in your business becomes part of the defence against cyberthreats.

A Wake-Up Call: The Cost of Complacency

To put things into perspective, consider a recent case in the UK where the Information Commissioner issued a stark warning: “The biggest cyber risk is complacency, not hackers.” This statement came after a construction company was fined £4.4 million for failing to implement appropriate security measures. The result? Hackers accessed the personal data of up to 113,000 employees through a simple phishing email.

This example highlights the actual cost of doing nothing (ie receiving a big fine!). As well as the financial cost, complacency can lead to significant damage to your reputation and a loss of trust from customers, suppliers and employees.

Let Us Handle the Hard Work

Cybersecurity does not have to be something you struggle with alone. As a IT service provider, we specialise in implementing cyber defences tailored to your business needs.

You do not have to know the ins and outs of cybersecurity as that is our job. We stay ahead of the latest threats so that you can focus on what you do best: running your business.

Do not let complacency put your business at risk. If you are in Australia, contact us today at 08 8326 4364, and let us talk about how we can protect your business from the ever-evolving landscape of cyberthreats.