On average, around 43% of cyber attacks specifically target small businesses, according to Accenture. These attacks usually take the form of phishing attempts and website spoofs. Now, due to recent events, most businesses have either had to shut down or work with limited crews. In response to this, cybersecurity attacks have risen exponentially, pushing business owners to reconsider how they should manage their IT systems.
Cyber Attacks Increase By 667%
From February to March, there has been a 667% increase in phishing schemes and other forms of cyberattacks, according to Barracuda Networks. It seems that criminals are exploiting the rampant concerns regarding the recent pandemic that has been sweeping the world. Cybercriminals make use of emotet trojan malware that lurk in innocuous programs like Microsoft Office documents in order to gain access to private servers, personal information, and business documents.
The Rise Of Managed IT Systems
Last year, there was a 10% increase in the IT security spending of businesses and corporations, according to Ernest Hamilton of the Tech Times. While not all businesses had the capital to do a unilateral upgrade of their IT security, what they did have in common was their decision to tap into managed IT services. Having a managed IT service meant that businesses could rely on dedicated teams of IT professionals to manage and handle their security for them. The additional benefit of a rapid response team to combat attempted attacks on cybersecurity can help keep businesses running at this time.
What Lies Ahead
With more business owners having to run operations from their homes, cyber attackers have more incentive to launch more attempts to breach business servers and personal computers. As such, business owners must improve their understanding and ability to combat cybersecurity threats. It is also recommended that business owners upgrade their protective software and use two-factor authentication, says Eva Velazquez of the Identity Theft Resource Center. She also wants business owners to remember that 91% of all hacking attempts spring from a malicious email. The times ahead may be rough, but smart practices can help prevent data breaches.
While experts still debate when things are expected to return to normal, businesses carry on as usual. With cyber-attacks taking a more aggressive tone, business owners must take a frank look at their present IT systems. Doing so grants them an opportunity to devise stronger security protocols as they move forward.
