Keeping an Eye on Growing Cyber Security Threats in 2016

When considering taking your business online, internet security is an issue that for some is a huge point of concern, and for others maybe it should be a bigger one. Owning an online business puts you at risk for virus attacks, malware, and malicious hacking attempts. And being a small business is no defense, and can actually be a bigger weakness—according to the International Data Corporation, small businesses account for 71% of the cyber security threats. Assaults on larger firms make for bigger headlines in the news, but no matter the size of your business, it is critical to decide how your company can handle the developing security dangers out there.

Back in January, Sun Sign Designs reported on the Internet of Things and the growth of previously non-online physical objects, including vending machines, umbrellas, biofeedback wristbands, etc. Given the potential for expansion in this field, it’s no surprise that independent inventors, small tech firms and global companies alike are looking to cash in on the possible smart object that will be the iPhone’s successor. But as Apple’s recent brush with the FBI shows, data encryption and security for your handheld phone is no lightweight matter, and it’s no accident that malware threats are increasingly targeting smart objects as the way to get into your precious files.

Up to now, most internet devices have had technology that included a processor that could handle connecting to the internet along with standard computing functions – think personal computers and laptops. As smartphones, e-readers, and gaming systems also went online, for the most part, they had a large firm such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft or Sony backing the technology, so it was a logical step to imagine these firms handling thesecurity threats to these new types of internet-ready hardware. But the Internet of Things offers the opportunity for  any electronic device to connect to the internet with its function. It’s this inherent deregulation of the concept that is the cause for alarm.

For small businesses, being aware of the potential threats is part of the battle. As Site Pro News reports, small businesses “are easier targets” for hackers to take on than global firms. They recommend an “ABC” approach to establishing a security presence:

Assess: Know what assets, resources and risks need to be protected; Build: An organizational security policy to be prioritized through leadership; Control: Establish the tools and control systems most suited to your organization and security blueprint; Deploy: Implement the tools; Educate: Ensure employees and executives understand the policy and are aware that security is everyone’s responsibility; Further: Continue to assess new security trends, conduct tests, and further integrate more powerful tactics in cyber-security.

Knowing the right approach to cyber-security involves having both the experience and the resources necessary in order to protect your valuable work. That’s why trusting the experts at Sun Sign Designs is the right call. We provide a full range of services that can be tailored to the specific security needs of your business. Reach out to us today!