{"id":16173,"date":"2023-09-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=16173"},"modified":"2023-09-26T17:24:53","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T16:24:53","slug":"understand-prepare-cyber-security-threats-small-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/understand-prepare-cyber-security-threats-small-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to understand and prepare for cyber security threats to your small business\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to understand and prepare for cyber security threats to your small business\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"sophia-adhami\"\t\t\t\tSophia Adhami<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It can feel overwhelming when you hear about the latest cyber security attacks on the news, but you might think, \u201cthat has nothing to do with me\u201d or \u201cnobody would want to target me\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, research shows<\/a> that \u201cboth small and medium businesses (SMBs) and large companies are using similar services and infrastructure\u201d which means the attacks that they face are increasingly similar.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to large organisations, SMBs have much less resource that they can give to cyber security and if they do suffer from an attack, they can only tolerate a much lower period where their operations are interrupted. We\u2019ll call this \u201cdowntime\u201d [DBIR 2023].  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, understanding what cyber security threats are out there, which are relevant to you, and what you can do about them is essential for ensuring the success of your business in the digital age.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are cyber security threats?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A cyber security, or cyber, threat is any activity that seeks to cause damage, steal data, or disrupt digital life as we know it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyber threats can lead to loss of money, customers, and even have legal consequences.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Threats can originate from a variety of different places including criminals, activists, and even foreign governments, but who<\/strong> is responsible is much less important than how<\/strong> the threat happens when it comes to protecting yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many different types of cyber threat and attackers may use several in a single attack, where each one exploits a different gap as part of an overall objective.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having solid defences, responding quickly, communicating with customers or employees, and having a plan to get back online are the best ways to reduce the impact of any attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some of the most common cyber security threats?\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the cyber security industry is constantly changing, the top three most common cyber security threats are:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Phishing<\/strong>\u2014fraudulent or fake emails, text messages, or calls that aim to get you to reveal personal information or do something you wouldn\u2019t normally do. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Malware<\/strong> (or ‘malicious software’)\u2014designed to enable unauthorised access to IT systems. Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts your essential data, denying you access unless you pay a ransom.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Software vulnerabilities<\/strong>\u2014these are flaws in software that can provide attackers with a route to gain access to your devices and systems. When new software vulnerabilities are discovered, they are often quickly adopted by attackers. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        A typical cyber attack might involve a criminal using phishing to manipulate an employee into clicking on a link on a malicious website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When clicked, the website downloads malware to the employee\u2019s computer, which then exploits a software vulnerability on that computer, and gives the attacker access to every system the computer is connected to.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        It is very hard to spot an attacker once they\u2019re inside your network and systems. That\u2019s why understanding threats and the sequence they normally happen in can really help you prevent them before real damage is done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Disrupting an attack as early as possible by using different layers of defence is the best way to do this.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What can you do?\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Cyber criminals spend a long time testing their tools and techniques to try and find ways in which they can access a system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A common way to do this it through people and tricking or pressurising a person to make a small mistake.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        An attacker uses phishing, either via text messaging, email, phone call, or other methods because it is simple, cheap, and it relies on us as humans to make only one small mistake. That is why it\u2019s so effective.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There are simple measures that can help:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n