With the rising cost of almost everything, supply chain issues, and hiring hurdles, small businesses have a lot to worry about these days. Compounding these concerns is the looming threat of cybercrime. In particular, cybercriminals take advantage of weak security measures, which makes small businesses more vulnerable due to their limited resources. One recent study found that almost 80 percent of small businesses surveyed reported cyberattacks in a single year. TD SYNNEX distribution partners can help these organizations address concerns by connecting small businesses with Cisco tools that protect against cybercrime.
Cyberattacks are only becoming more advanced and ubiquitous, and small businesses need to take steps to protect themselves. Despite the vastness of cybersecurity, businesses can focus on four main areas: people, devices, email, and networks. This means making sure that only authorized people can access the system, detecting and blocking malware on any devices that connect to the system, preventing unsecured attachments and phishing in email, and monitoring and securing the network.
Distributors can help small businesses protect against cybercrime by educating them on the tools that can secure their systems without breaking the bank or requiring excessive resources that may not be available to them. There is a plethora of useful tools that address current cyber threats and help secure the four focus areas. Cisco DUO, for instance, protects against unauthorized access by verifying the identities of users with multi-factor authentication (MFA). A new study by Microsoft determined that 99.9 percent of compromised accounts this last year did not have an MFA setup, and only 11 percent of organizations use MFA at all. It is easy for businesses of all sizes to use Cisco DUO, which secures numerous apps and data with MFA, using a convenient push notification app.
In addition to securing access and preventing authorized users, other tools and resources are available that protect the entire network through the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS is the backbone of the internet, and Cisco Umbrella and Cisco Meraki MX protect it. Attackers have figured out ways to use DNS to control attacks, so many have turned to new ways to protect DNS to stop ransomware. Umbrella and Meraki combat network security issues by scanning for ransomware and filtering content in the background to block any malicious websites from opening. This proactive approach limits the opportunity for cybercriminals to strike.
Countless products are now available to tackle new cyberthreats and attacks; although each product specifically addresses one aspect of security, many of them are delivered through the cloud and work together seamlessly for added benefits. For small businesses, these tools can be easily scaled as IT needs and budgets change. In addition to educating businesses about these valuable solutions, distribution partners can explain how to integrate and work the tools into current processes without the need for additional resources or parts.
With the average cost to recover from a ransomware attack reported at $84 million by Forbes, small businesses can’t afford to remain vulnerable. Many businesses need to understand the threats that exist and how to protect themselves against cybercrimes with limited resources. Distributors help small businesses navigate this journey by sharing their expertise and guiding them to the right tools. Since cybercrime isn’t going anywhere, the only answer is protection.
Learn more about how small businesses can protect against cybercrime in The Essential Guide to Cybercrime Protection.
