Practical Security Advice for a Digital World
A data breach can be a nightmare for any small business, like suddenly remembering you left the oven on at home—except instead of a burned dinner, you’re dealing with financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences. Small businesses are often targeted due to perceived weaker security defenses, making it crucial to have a response plan before hackers treat your data like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Small businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), over 60% of small businesses experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year, with ransomware and credential theft among the top threats. Alarmingly, 95% of breaches affecting small businesses were financially motivated, showing that cybercriminals see small businesses as lucrative targets due to their often weaker security postures. Despite these risks, many small businesses lack the necessary Incident Response Plan (IRP) to mitigate attacks effectively.