It is rare a small business owner considers a critical security breach. Hacking small business has become big business. The rewards for easy intrusions compared with the larger and international organisations are significant. Consider the differences. Small business often holds a high amount of data, and an offsite backup service is rarely in place. Data stolen does not have a copy, and that makes getting away with further criminal activities a whole lot easier. Here is a look at some networking issues we really need to consider.
- Threat. Studies by Verizon in the USA showed alarming levels of small business hacking and critical intrusions to be much higher than first expected. Data breaches in the US had sharply risen from around 140 intrusions in 2009, to near 800 intrusions in 2010. A graduation of lower level hackers and criminals who focus on using data for identity theft and more credit card fraud seems to have been the reason.
- Graduation. Self taught hackers are increasing in numbers due to an explosion in popularity from high profile hacks on the news. The more traditional hackers have continued high-end attacks. They are looking for fame and respect in their criminal-industry. More than money, most of them see large corporations as a target that must be beaten. Because credit card fraud and identity theft are increasingly seen by criminals as a way to make swift cash without risking more physical activity, small business and the lack of protection for networks and data has led to a boom in this current trend.
- Data Loss. Data loss and following damages to small business are huge. Critical security breach means the business is terminally damaged due to the breach. Total wipeout of data is common. Can you imagine going back to your design studio on Monday and turning on your 6 machines, only to find they are all blank… flashing cursor is the only item displayed on all screen. Server is constantly rebooting and you haven’t a clue. You don’t even know you have been hacked and stripped of all your data and client data for sure. More mischievous operators have left messages that have led to inspectors being able to assess this type of total failure. Even more reason for a full disaster recovery storage plan for your backup and security.
- Insurance and further damages. Without any thought for security assessment and implemented protection plan with on your small business network, and related insurance policy, you are better off not reporting to the police because losing all that client data means you are now seriously liable for a lot of fraud. Those banks and clients can all sue you to an old-aged death.
Time to think about network security and insurance for your small business?
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