October 27, 2013 by Lisa Alexander

Cybersecurity: Small Businesses Not Immune From Hackers

I got a call from my bank this month and they wanted to know if I had made $135 worth of purchases at Starbucks.

Blank stare.

I had made no such purchases but it seems somehow my bank card was compromised and someone bought a round for the house.

The same thing happened to a good friend of mine and my favorite app Buffer was also recently hacked this month. They handled the whole ordeal splendidly I might add. Someone took PR Crisis Management for Businesses and it shows!

Since it’s National Cyber Security Month, it seems like a good time for all of us, especially business owners to review how we can keep our businesses safe online.

First a few stats from Homeland Security.

40% of all cyber-attacks target business with fewer than 500 employees.
Only 52% of businesses have a cyber security plan, and 40% of businesses do not have a response plan.
74% of small and medium businesses reported attacks from 2009 to 2010 with an average cost of about $190,000 per attack.

The agency also offers a few tips:

Use and regularly update antivirus and antispyware software on all computers.
Secure your Internet connection by using a firewall, encrypt information, and hide your Wi-Fi network.
Establish security practices and policies to protect sensitive information; educate employees and
hold them accountable to the Internet security guidelines and procedures.
Require that employees use strong passwords and regularly change them.

Has your business been compromised? Homeland Security suggests the following:

Inform local law enforcement of the state attorney general as appropriate.
Report stolen finances or identities and other cybercrime to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.
Report fraud to Federal Trade Commission at www.ongaurdonline.gov/file-complaint.
Report computer or network vulnerabilities to US-CERT via the hotline: 1-888-282-0870 or http://www.US-CERT.gov

If you’re one of the 48% of businesses that does not have cyber security plan or the 60% that doesn’t have a response plan, you can build one online by clicking here.

Be safe fellow business owners and online shoppers. Especially with the holidays approaching.