When it comes to network security, it is easy for small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) to say “not me” or “they are only after the big guys.” The reality is that attacks on all networks have been increasing year after year as hackers have become more sophisticated, and small businesses are being affected every day by relaxed or non-existent security policies.
Current trends in data breaches and network security attacks:
- Data Breaches in 2023: According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were 2,116 data compromises reported in the US in 2023, which includes data breaches, data exposures, and other forms of data leaks. This shows a marked increase from previous years, with SMBs increasingly in the crosshairs due to perceived weaker security measures.
- Impact on SMBs: The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report for 2023 highlighted that small businesses in the United States lose more than $8,000 annually due to cyberattacks. This figure underscores the financial impact on SMBs, which often lack the resources to recover from such incidents swiftly.
- Ransomware Trends: By 2024, ransomware remains a significant threat. Around 71% of ransomware attacks target small businesses. This statistic indicates that hackers find SMBs lucrative targets, often due to less robust security infrastructures.
- Detection Times: The average time to identify a breach has increased, now taking over 200 days, which is significantly longer than previously reported periods. This delay in detection can exacerbate the damage caused by a breach, especially for SMBs with limited cybersecurity teams.
- Types of Breaches: Recent data shows that spear phishing accounts for 46% of incidents, reflecting the sophistication of attack methods that cybercriminals use against businesses of all sizes. Cloud vulnerabilities and insider threats are also on the rise, contributing to the breach landscape for SMBs.
- Sectoral Breakdown: While specific figures for 2024 are not detailed here, the trend from recent years indicates that businesses continue to be the most targeted sector, followed by healthcare, which remains a prime target due to the valuable nature of medical data. Education and government sectors also remain vulnerable, though the percentage of breaches might differ slightly from year to year.
How Tactical IT Group helps to minimize your risk:
- Software Updates: Keeping all software current is pivotal. Tactical IT Group implements and manages an automated patch management system for your business, ensuring timely updates across your entire network infrastructure which reduces the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited.
- Managed Firewall Services: Tactical IT Group provides and manages next-generation firewalls tailored for your business needs. This service includes not just the installation but also ongoing monitoring, threat intelligence updates, and policy management to keep your network secure against advanced threats.
- Proactive Support: Regular system health checks, performance optimizations, and security scans are part of Tactical IT Group's proactive support. We identify and remediate potential issues before they escalate into security breaches or downtime, ensuring your IT environment is always in top shape.
- Advanced Antivirus/EDR: Tactical IT Group deploys advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that go beyond traditional antivirus, integrating with broader security frameworks to offer real-time threat detection, behavior analysis, and automatic response capabilities, safeguarding your systems from modern malware and phishing attacks.
- Security Awareness Training: With Tactical IT Group, your staff can receive security training programs tailored to your needs. These can include live sessions, e-learning modules, and phishing simulation exercises to ensure your team is well-equipped to recognize and respond to cyber threats effectively. Your team is the first line of defense!
- Zero Trust Model Implementation: Tactical IT Group designs and implements a zero trust architecture for your business, which focuses on identity verification, multi-factor authentication, and least privilege access. We will guide you through segmenting your network and securing endpoints to ensure only verified and authorized access is granted.
- Cloud Security: For businesses moving to or already using cloud services, Tactical IT Group offers expertise in securing cloud environments. This includes setting up proper identity and access management, data encryption, and ensuring compliance with industry standards, all while providing visibility and control over cloud assets.
Tactical IT Group acts as your partner in cybersecurity, offering not just these services but also strategic advice, incident response planning, and ongoing security assessments. They work to align your security measures with business goals, ensuring protection while facilitating growth and innovation. Whether you need help starting from scratch or enhancing existing security protocols, their expertise can guide you through the complexities of modern network security.
No matter the size of your business, network security is a definite requirement for every business in the digital age. If you are worried or unsure of where to start with an internal security audit, our team can help get you on track.
