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Small & Medium Businesses
Guidance and tools to help you build cyber resilience and protect your business, employees, and customers.
For Small & Medium Businesses
Guidance and tools to help you build cyber resilience and protect your business, employees, and customers.
Cyber attacks can be devastating for small and medium businesses, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruption. A proactive approach to cybersecurity is essential for survival and growth. This guide provides key strategies to enhance your security posture.
Priority Security Controls for Businesses
Implementing a baseline of security controls can mitigate the majority of cyber threats. We recommend focusing on these priority areas:
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enforce MFA on all critical systems, including email, cloud services, and remote access solutions. This single control makes it significantly harder for criminals to gain access to your accounts, even if they have stolen credentials.
2. Regular Backups and Incident Response
Regularly back up all important business data and test your backups to ensure they can be restored. Develop a simple Cyber Incident Response Plan that outlines the steps to take if you experience a breach. Know who to call and what actions to prioritize.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different media types, with one copy stored off-site.
3. Keep Software and Systems Updated
Ensure all operating systems, applications (e.g., web browsers, office suites), and security software are set to update automatically. Patching vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered is a critical defense against malware and ransomware.
4. Train Your Staff
Your employees are your first line of defense. Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training to educate them on:
- Identifying phishing emails and malicious links.
- Using strong, unique passwords.
- Understanding company security policies for data handling and device usage.
Developing a Cyber Incident Response Plan
When a cyber incident occurs, a clear plan helps you respond effectively and minimize damage. Your plan should be simple and accessible to all relevant staff.
Key Steps in Your Plan:
Identify
Determine if a security event has occurred.
Contain
Isolate the affected systems to prevent further damage. Disconnect from the internet if necessary.
Eradicate
Remove the threat from your systems. This may require professional assistance.
Recover
Restore systems and data from clean backups.
Report
Report the incident to the Cyber Crime Center immediately.