Small businesses operate under false sense of digital security

By on October 17th, 2012

October 17, 2012 in

Small businesses are at risk for cybersecurity breaches.

Traditionally, in terms of small business management, security has meant investing in state-of-the-art alarm systems to protect physical assets and files.

However, with the growing emphasis on the internet and the digitization of business processes, security has increasingly come to include issues of online data protection from hackers and other cyber criminals.

Small businesses, though, have not greeted the risk with as much seriousness as it may deserve. A recent survey by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) found that owners have a false sense of cybersecurity, with 77 percent of respondents saying their operations are safe from threats such as hackers, viruses, malware or other breaches while 83 percent admitted to having no formal cybersecurity plan.

“A data breach or hacking incident can really harm SMBs and unfortunately lead to a lack of trust from consumers, partners and suppliers,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the NCSA. “Small businesses must make plans to protect their businesses from cyber threats and help employees stay safe online.”

A good place for businesses to begin the securitization process is by adopting employee policies that clearly outline internet procedures, including the use of social media.

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