Small business is under attack. Cyber criminals are increasing the sophistication and number of ransomware attacks being directed at small business. Ransomware installed in a shared drive can be devastating to your business. Leaving your business in a position where your only option is to pay the ransom only emboldens the cyber criminals and leads to increased development and attacks. There is no one magic bullet to prevent ransomware. Every business that relies on IT systems and data should have a strategy to help prevent ransomware attacks. Part of that strategy should include a data backup and restoration plan in the event your business succumbs to a ransomware attack.
The following are a few of the procedures that should be considered in developing a strategy to mitigate these attacks:
- Staff awareness and training
- Antivirus- Commercial grade with real time updates
- Spam & virus email filtering
- Security, software updates and patching for all PC’s
- Security, software updates and patching for all servers
- Firmware updates on all devices connected to your network
- Policy- For network and local pc admin
- Policy for company social media
Here are a few facts of the cost of ransomware attacks on small business according to UBS Capital.
- Cyber attacks cost small businesses between $84,000 and $148,000.
- 60% of small businesses go out of business within six months of an attack.
- 90% of small business don’t use any data protection at all for company and customer information.
Almost two-thirds of all cyberattacks are now directed at small business.
