Cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses of all size, and small businesses with limited IT resources face additional risks. In fact, according to a recent Microsoft report, one in three small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have been victims of cyberattacks. The average cost of a cyberattack for an SMB can be devastating and highlights the importance of having a strong cybersecurity posture.
Types of Cybersecurity Threats
Hackers are becoming more creative in their endeavors. Here are the top 5 cybersecurity threats facing small IT teams.
Malware is a type of software designed to harm a computer system. It can steal data, corrupt files, or take control of a system. Small businesses are often targeted by malware attacks because SMBs may not have the same security defenses in place as larger organizations.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and makes them inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom payment in exchange for decrypting the files. Ransomware attacks can be very disruptive to a business, and the cost of recovering from an attack can be significant.
Social engineering is a type of cyberattack that relies on human error. Attackers will use psychological manipulation to trick victims into giving up sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Social engineering attacks can be very effective, and they can be difficult to detect.
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to trick the victim into clicking on a malicious link or opening an attachment. Phishing emails often appear to be from a legitimate source like a bank or credit card company. Once the victim clicks on the link or opens the attachment, malware is installed on their computer.
As more businesses move their data to the cloud, cloud-based attacks become increasingly common. These attacks can target vulnerabilities in cloud platforms or applications.
How Microsegmentation from 3SG Plus Can Help
Microsegmentation is a security technique that can help mitigate the risks of cyber threats. Microsegmentation involves dividing a network into smaller segments and controlling the traffic flow between those segments. This approach can help to prevent malware from spreading laterally across a network, which also makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data. A microsegmentation deployment from 3SG Plus can help small IT teams:
- Reduce the blast radius of an attack: If a device is compromised by malware, microsegmentation can prevent the malware from spreading to other parts of the network.
- Protect sensitive data: Microsegmentation can be used to isolate sensitive data from other parts of the network, making it more difficult for attackers to access.
- Simplify security policy enforcement: Microsegmentation can make it easier to enforce security policies by controlling the traffic flow between different segments of the network.
Cybersecurity is a complex challenge, but small businesses can take steps to protect themselves. By implementing security measures like microsegmentation, small businesses can reduce their risk of a cyberattack. 3SG Plus is an IT managed services provider specializing in microsegmentation services.