While antivirus software is a fundamental layer of protection, relying solely on it is not sufficient for a small business in today’s threat landscape. Cyber threats have evolved in complexity and variety, and a multi-layered approach to security is essential for adequate protection.
- 60% of small businesses that are victims of a cyber-attack go out of business within six months. The ones that survived spent an average of $955,429 to restore normal business.
- 47% of small businesses say they have no understanding of how to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.
- Only 14% of small businesses rated their ability to mitigate cyber risks and attacks as highly effective.
- 43% of all cyber-attacks are targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
- Industry experts say a small business’s cyber security budget should be at least 3% of a company’s total spending.
Here’s why antivirus alone isn’t enough and what additional measures small businesses should consider:
- Variety of Threats: Modern cyber threats include more than just viruses. They encompass ransomware, phishing attacks, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Antivirus software might not catch all of these, especially if they are new or sophisticated.
- Behavioural Analysis: Modern security solutions often include behaviour-based detection, which observes the behaviour of processes to detect malicious activities. Traditional antivirus solutions, which rely primarily on signature-based detection, might miss new or unknown threats.
- Phishing and Social Engineering: Many cyberattacks start with human error, such as falling for a phishing email. Antivirus software can’t always protect against this, emphasizing the need for user education and training.
- Network Security: Beyond endpoint protection, businesses need to secure their networks. This involves firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and secure Wi-Fi configurations.
- Patch Management: Vulnerabilities in software can be exploited by cybercriminals. Regularly updating and patching software is crucial, and this goes beyond the scope of what antivirus solutions offer.
- Backup and Recovery: Ransomware attacks can encrypt critical data. Regular backups (that are periodically tested for integrity) ensure that a business can recover without paying a ransom.
- Access Control: Implementing strong user authentication and access controls ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data. This might involve multi-factor authentication, strong password policies, and user access reviews.
- Mobile and Remote Work Security: With the rise of remote work and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, securing mobile devices and providing secure remote access (e.g., through VPNs) has become crucial.
- Cloud Security: If a business uses cloud services, ensuring the security configurations of those services is essential. Misconfigured cloud storage or applications can lead to data breaches.
- Regular Security Audits: Periodic assessments of security infrastructure can identify vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.
- Incident Response Plan: Having a plan in place for when a security incident occurs can reduce the damage and recovery time.
For a small business, it might seem daunting to implement all these measures. However, many managed security service providers (MSSPs) cater to small businesses, offering a suite of security services tailored to their needs and budgets. Investing in comprehensive security is not just about protecting data—it’s about safeguarding the reputation and continuity of the business. Speak to one of our cybersecurity experts at Archway Securities about protecting your small business.