Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / Technology / Small Businesses Are Not Exempt from Cyber Attacks

Small Businesses Are Not Exempt from Cyber Attacks

September 11, 2017 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Cyber safety is within your grasp.

More than 60 percent of business-related cyber attacks happen to small business owners!

This doesn’t mean that you need to hire ex-Navy SEALs to protect your organization. However, it does demand more vigilance on your part when it comes to protecting your own — and especially your customers’ — data.

What Is a Cyber Attack?

Many different types of cyber attacks exist, and they seem to get more complicated and more varied as time passes, especially on mobile devices. Criminals have used cyber attacks to gain access to passwords, account numbers, and identity information. They often encrypt data on SMB-owned networks so they can ransom the network and the information on it for money.

In many cases, cyber attacks catch small businesses by surprise when an employee (or the business owner) clicks on a seemingly innocent email or shares their passwords with someone who shouldn’t have them. Each employee can become a liability to the entire organization’s security, which is why small business owners must educate themselves and their workers on prevention.

Educate Your Team

Train your employees in the art of data protection. I keep lots of files on my business network that no one else should see, so I’m constantly changing passwords and reminding my employees about safe cyber practices and of the consequences of failing to follow them.

Focus on the following competencies when putting your team through cyber security training:

  • Avoid clicks: Unless you can verify the sender, avoid clicking on any links, even if you think you recognize the top-level domain (TLD). Hackers can “spoof” email addresses to fool otherwise vigilant employees.
  • Change passwords regularly: Consider creating a company policy that requires employees to change their passwords frequently.
  • Keep devices secure: Make sure your employees use encryption on their personal devices, such as passwords, especially if they store work information on those devices.
  • Scan everything: Let your employees know that the network’s antivirus software will scan any digital devices they bring into the office, such as USB drives and peripherals.
  • Update software: Even though you upgrade your network to the latest version of anti-virus software, you must ensure that they are installed on all company and employee BYOD devices. A single crack in your defenses could create a cyber risk.

Embrace Encryption

I’m a big fan of encryption. It’s a useful tool to make sure that only select people can read the data you collect about your business and your customers.

We’re constantly facing new threats from criminals who want access to our customers’ credit card information or our proprietary company information. Encryption can stop them from getting what they want.

As a small business owner, you may not think that they have room in your budgets for high-dollar software that might protect you from cyber attacks. However, there are several inexpensive encryption programs on the market today, such as CertainSafe and Cypherix PE.

Classify Data Correctly

If you want to protect your small business’ sensitive data, you must know when to classify data as sensitive. For instance, employee personal information should be considered sensitive because criminals could use it to steal identities.

Once you know how to classify data, you can protect it adequately and appropriately. You may not need to encrypt and protect everything (which slows down productivity and frustrates user) but you do need to protect the important things.

Identify Internet-Connected Devices

Small businesses aren’t operating only on desktop and laptop computers. Owners and employees use smartphones, tablets, and other Internet-connected devices that can create vulnerabilities in an otherwise well-protected system.

Internet crime can be perpetrated on any device that connects to the web. To take the time to protect all those devices.

Will your small business become the target of a cyber attack? More than 60% of small businesses do. If you don’t take steps to protect your business, you make yourself an easy, target. Let’s not do that.

Protect yourself and your business and have fun while you’re at it. If you are ready to take your small business to the next level, Join me at this year’s Reinvention Weekend Conference Oct. 6-7, 2017 in Washington, DC. Cybersecurity is just one of the many topics I will share to help you fix your business.

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: Technology, Your Small Business Tagged With: cyber attack, cyber security

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to License and Sell Your Content with Mitch Axelrod

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Mitch Axelrod to discuss the intricacies of intellectual property (IP) licensing for small businesses. Mitch shares his personal journey in the licensing field, offering insights into identifying and protecting IP effectively. They explore common pitfalls in licensing negotiations and provide practical tips to navigate these challenges. Mitch Axelrod is […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to License and Sell Your Content with Mitch Axelrod
  • What KPIs Should You Track In Your Small Business?
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: If I Had to Do It All Over Again with Melinda Emerson
  • How to Develop a Business Launch Timeline, Part II
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with LaTanya White, Dov Gordon, and Anisha Robinson Keeys

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner