Cybersecurity is not only a concern for technology firms and giant corporations. Small and midsize companies with inadequate data protection are particularly vulnerable, and New York businesses are no exception. In this article, we’ll look at what kinds of risks small business owners in New York face and how they can protect themselves.
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, so too do the risks that businesses face. A 2017 study by Symantec found that 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. And of those attacks, 60% are successful. The costs of a successful cyber attack can be devastating for a small business. In fact, 58% of small businesses that experience a cyber attack are forced to shut down within six months.
The most common type of cyber attack is malware, which is software that is designed to damage or disable computers. Malware can be installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge or consent, and can cause serious harm to files and data. Other common types of attacks include phishing, which is when hackers send emails that appear to be from a legitimate source in order to trick users into clicking on malicious links or attachments, and ransomware, which is when hackers encrypt a user’s files and demand a ransom in order to decrypt them.
Small business owners in New York face a particularly high risk of cyber attacks due to the city’s large population and its status as a major financial center. In addition, the state of New York has some of the most stringent data protection laws in the country, which can make it difficult for small businesses to comply with all of the requirements.
Despite the risks, many small business owners in New York are not taking steps to protect themselves. A 2017 survey found that only 40% of small businesses in the state have a cybersecurity plan in place. This leaves them vulnerable to attacks that could potentially cripple their business.
There are a number of steps that small business owners in New York can take to protect themselves from cyber attacks. One of the most important is to invest in information technology security services. These services can help businesses to identify and fix vulnerabilities in their systems, and to implement safeguards against attacks. Syzygy 3 is a leading provider of information technology security services, and has helped many businesses in New York to protect themselves from cyber attacks.
In addition to investing in information technology security services, small business owners in New York should also make sure that their employees are properly trained in cybersecurity. Employees should know how to spot phishing emails and other attempts to gain access to confidential information. They should also be aware of the importance of keeping their computer systems up to date with the latest security patches.
By taking these steps, small business owners in New York can greatly reduce their risk of becoming the victim of a cyber attack. While no system is perfect, by making themselves less attractive targets, they can help to ensure that their business remains safe and secure.