Life after the pandemic is just beginning to get back on track, but for the vast majority of industry sectors life has not returned to what was considered normal before the Covid pandemic. And this is the cause of an increasing anxiety surrounding SMB cyber security. So what are the main causes for concern?
What are the main causes of post pandemic cyber security anxiety for SMBs?
For security and IT professionals in small to medium sized businesses, there are a number of new causes for concern that are arising in the post pandemic world. These include:
- Remote working
- Increasing number of threats
Remote working and cyber security
Before the pandemic, it is estimated that around 20% of the workforce worked remotely or from home. Now that figure is more than 65%. With this giant leap in remote working comes an increased risk to networks and IT systems and infrastructure. Securing a network that now extends beyond the office and into the homes of many of your employees is no small task, and can be incredibly difficult. And it is the struggle to maintain a high level of security, across all access points that is the number one struggle for SMBs when it comes to cyber security.
Increasing number of cyber security threats
In the past year alone there has been a 20% increase in ransomware attacks worldwide and the number of businesses encountering a cyberattack grew by 27%. With the change to remote working, hackers and cyber criminals have also changed tactics to target security flaws that are exposed as part of remote working. Remote Desktop Protocol, weak passwords and more thoughtful and considered phishing scams are three of the biggest threats to small to medium sized businesses, allowing criminals to breach a network and deploy ransomware. As a result, it is absolutely necessary for SMBs to develop a robust and comprehensive approach to cyber security.
Protecting SMBs in the post pandemic landscape
To keep SMBs safe in this new landscape, there are a number of things to consider. These include:
- Device safety policies- if your employees are working from home on their own devices, this could open your network to security threats from viruses and malware on the device itself. Ensuring that your employees have up to date anti-malware and anti-virus software installed, and are aware of safe browsing habits, can help reduce the risks.
- Password policies- ensuring a strong policy for the creation an changing of passwords, especially those used to access the virtual or remote desktop can be very beneficial.
As Preston’s leading IT support and network services experts, here at Creative Network Solutions, we provide a range of top quality solutions and services. From secure remote access services to business VoIP, we are the team you can count on. Why not get in touch to find out how we can help keep your business safe?