Defendify’s article on how to get started in cybersecurity – and who to work with – was recently published on Business.com. We’ve introduced the article here, but don’t forget to check out the full article on Business.com.

As a Small Business owner or operator, you’ve likely started thinking about strengthening your company’s cybersecurity – if you haven’t already taken steps towards improvement. It makes sense to concentrate on building out your security program: half of all small businesses have experienced a cyberattack in the last year alone, and the trend of targeting smaller organizations doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

It’s one thing to know you need to improve and strengthen defenses, but just like anything else, actually getting started can seem daunting. To ensure you’re fully protected, pay careful attention to key elements of enacting an effective, ongoing cybersecurity program:

Know (and test) where you stand: How strong is your business’ resilience to cybersecurity threats? Conducting health checkups through risk assessment is an important step in your cybersecurity journey, and it’s something that you should come back to regularly to be sure you’re improving along the right path.

Address your weaknesses: Once you have a handle on where your company stands, you can roll out improvements. This means stepping up your program from traditional antivirus and a firewall – be sure to include modern technology solutions for malware and ransomware, policies and procedures, and a plan for continuous improvement.

Practice makes perfect: Your employees can be your biggest vulnerability – but a security awareness training program can build them into your strongest defenders. In tandem with a strong Technology and Data Use Policy, ongoing education will help employees understand threats, risks, and how to keep your business safe.

While setting up a “DIY” cybersecurity program is a possibility for Small Business, it can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and expensive. And without a ready-made plan or dedicated resources, it’s possible to overlook risks or lose consistency with building proper defenses. A common and comfortable option for many businesses is to hire a third-party to set up and execute their program, for example:

• IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
• Security system provider or systems integrator
• Cybersecurity consultant or consulting firm

Each has its own benefits and provides different protection options. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your organization’s needs, budget, and business relationships. For more on the how and who of getting your security program off the ground, read the full article on Business.com.

Stay Safe,

Your Friends @ Defendify