October 21, 2024 Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Protect your SMB with expert guidance

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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global initiative that highlights the importance of cybersecurity. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), this is a crucial reminder that staying ahead of cybercriminals is not just a best practice — it’s essential for survival.

Among the many different things that SMBs can do to bolster their cyber defenses, partnering with cybersecurity experts is one of the most important and cost-effective. Getting help from professionals equips them with the tools and knowledge necessary to protect their data, employees, and bottom line.

In this article, we’ll explore why SMBs are frequent targets of cybercriminals and why they must work with cybersecurity experts to ensure a strong security posture.

Why are SMBs vulnerable to cyberattacks?

  • Limited cybersecurity resources: Unlike large companies, SMBs often lack the budget and personnel to implement robust cybersecurity defenses, making them easier to infiltrate.
  • Lack of employee training: SMB employees often receive little to no cybersecurity training, which increases the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics.
  • Valuable data: Even SMBs hold sensitive information such as customer details, payment information, and intellectual property that cybercriminals can exploit or sell.
  • Outdated systems: Many SMBs still use outdated hardware and software, which can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can use to gain access to sensitive data.

Benefits of working with cybersecurity experts

Partnering with a trusted cybersecurity provider brings many benefits to SMBs, including:

Proactive protection

Cybersecurity experts use their knowledge and experience to identify potential vulnerabilities in your network before cybercriminals can exploit them. These professionals conduct regular assessments, vulnerability scans, and penetration testing to uncover weaknesses. By proactively addressing these issues, they reduce the risk of a successful security breach and minimize potential damages.

Managed security services provider SUCCESS Computer Consulting even goes beyond basic protection by offering the following:

  • Behavioral monitoring – detects and sends alerts of unusual or suspicious activity on your network
  • Managed detection and response – monitors, detects, and responds to security threats in real time
  • Foothold hunting – searches for and removes hidden access points that cybercriminals may have gained on your network
  • Dark web identity monitoring – tracks your personal information on the dark web to flag potential identity theft or fraud

Expert guidance

Cybersecurity professionals offer critical advice on implementing best practices for protecting your business. They help establish robust security measures, including strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, network access controls, and data encryption. In addition, they provide employee training to ensure staff can identify and report cyberthreats, effectively safeguarding both personal and company data.

SUCCESS’s team of cybersecurity professionals holds credentials that underscore their expertise in identifying and mitigating security risks. These include the following certifications:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – validates expertise in information security management
    • Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP) validates expertise in designing and architecting secure information systems. 
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – demonstrates the ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems
  • CvCISO Level 2validates the ability to provide cybersecurity leadership and consulting services.
  • Security+ – validates fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and skill

SUCCESS Computer Consulting has been recognized as a CRN Top 100 Security Provider and included in the Top 250 MSSPs, solidifying our reputation as a trusted cybersecurity partner.

For businesses requiring strategic cybersecurity leadership but unable to afford a full-time chief information security officer (CISO), we offer a Fractional CISO service. This service provides high-level security expertise at a fraction of the cost, guiding you through cybersecurity investments, compliance efforts, and audits.

Incident response

In the event of a cyberattack, cybersecurity experts can provide rapid and effective incident response. They can help contain the damage, restore your systems, and recover lost data.

Having a well-defined incident response plan and collaborating with experienced professionals allow you to minimize disruption and financial losses.

SUCCESS’s Network Watch Secure managed detection and response service integrates a comprehensive security toolset with your existing network, ensuring threats are detected and addressed in real time. It also includes mentorship for your internal IT team, providing another layer of support and response as needed.

Take action: Partner with the cybersecurity professionals at SUCCESS Computer Consulting

SUCCESS Computer Consulting’s expert team is ready to help you evaluate your current security posture and create a comprehensive plan to bolster your business’s cyber defenses. Schedule a FREE consultation today to learn how we can safeguard your company from cyberthreats.