While few people would deny the tremendous advantages and benefits that modern tech and the web have brought to the world of business, it’s worth remembering that these same technologies also could bring inherent dangers to your firm. Today, the revenues generated by cybercrime make it, by way of comparison, the world’s third-largest economy, narrowly behind the USA and China – with much of this activity targeted at companies just like yours.
Unfortunately, there is a prevalent belief among small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners that their business is simply too small or not profitable enough to fall victim to an attack. In truth, however, this same lax approach to security is making the SME sector one of the primary targets for online hackers.
Sensible security precautions for SMEs that won’t break the bank
Unlike their larger, more successful counterparts, many SMEs scrimp on security because they feel they can’t afford to invest in fit-for-purpose solutions. However, when you consider it’s estimated around 60% of SMEs go bust within six months of an attack, it’s clear to see this is very narrow thinking.
Check your APIs and pay to have an API gateway audit
APIs (application programming interfaces) are everywhere these days, and if you’re like the majority of firms, it’s very likely they’ll be embedded in much of your software – or even feed your in-house data. An API is essentially an interface that allows two or more pieces of software to communicate with each other, overseen by an API gateway – and what is an API gateway? In simple terms, a gateway is much like a manager, receiving calls for data or services, then assigning the relevant components required for the task before sending back a response. If not maintained and protected, they are sometimes viewed as the weakest point in the whole API process – so it’s worth having them audited and checked.
Move your digital services to the cloud
Cloud provisioning is now one of the fastest-growing, most profitable areas of the entire tech industry – and for very good reason. By moving your firm’s digital requirements to a cloud provider, you’ll gain a massive range of benefits, including improved security, 24/7/365 monitoring/backup facilities, as well as improving how (and where) your employees can work.
Keep your software and operating systems (OSs) up to date
One of the most prevalent ways hackers gain access to sensitive data is by attacking outdated software. When your apps or operating system (OS) prompts you to update, you should do so immediately to help avoid falling victim to problems with the most common hacking techniques.
Avoid bring your own device (BYOD) issues by assigning in-house devices
As more and more of us now own a wide range of gadgets, so the issues with bring your own device (BYOD) have skyrocketed. If one of your employees is slightly more relaxed about web security, it’s possible they could automatically transfer any viruses or similar issues they have on their local device to your firm’s network when they log in. To avoid issues with BYOD, it’s a good idea to either block foreign devices from logging in or issue your staff with vetted devices.
