Whether you’re a small up-and-coming business in New York or part of a larger corporation, chances are you depend on a variety of solutions to operate in your day-to-day. The technology your company uses — including devices, software and cloud-based systems — are a goldmine for cybercriminals because of the sensitive data your business uses every day.
Cyber attacks are detrimental to the success of your New York business. Not only will you have to deal with downtime and rebuild your systems, but your business could suffer reputational damage. Especially if customer data is breached.
Luckily, having an understanding of common IT risks can help you take action to protect your business. Here are some of the biggest cybersecurity threats for NYC businesses.
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Malware & Ransomware
Cybercriminals use malicious software, or “malware,” to infiltrate a business’s data and prevent it from functioning correctly. This gives cyber attackers access to confidential information — or in some cases, simply destroys it.
Ransomware is an offshoot of malware. These attacks encrypt sensitive data, rendering it unusable, and then extort your business for a ransom in order to get their own data back. Up to 71% of ransomware attacks are targeted to small businesses, with demands exceeding $100,000.
Weak Password Protection
One of the top reasons that your NYC business could be at risk is poorly protected passwords.
Weak, easy-to-guess passwords are a serious threat to the security of your business, especially if you have remote staff working on unstable networks. Easily guessed passwords can allow hackers to gain access to multiple accounts or cloud services and cause devastating data breaches.
Implement password management policies and systems that drive best practices for password creation and management.. Multi-factor authentication is critical to further prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to accounts.
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Phishing
Phishing scams are one of the most common cyber attacks out there and are especially prevalent in attacks against small businesses. Phishing is when a business receives an email that appears to be genuine or from an authentic source.
This email will often ask you to click a link, download an attachment, or send over sensitive data. Hackers pose as close contacts or authoritative figures to convince businesses to trust their requests.
Train your staff in how to identify suspicious emails, never click an unknown link or attachment, and if you think it is legit, confirm before you click.
Insider Threats
Knowing who to trust when it comes to network access is a big factor in cybersecurity protection.
Insider threats aren’t always disgruntled or malicious employees leaking information for profit. Oftentimes, valuable data is leaked by mistake.
This is why it’s essential to know exactly who has access to your company’s sensitive data.
As a rule, employees should only have the minimum amount of access they need to complete their role and avoid unnecessary risk. All third-party contractors and vendors should undergo thorough background checks.
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Protect Your NYC Business From Cyber Threats
If you’re a business in New York City and are serious about preventing cyber attacks, you’ve come to the right place. Partner with a managed IT provider like CMIT Solutions of Wall Street & Grand Central to feel confident in your business’s security.
Our years of experience helping a variety of industries keep their technology running and secure 24/7 can put your mind at ease.
Let’s get started. Learn more about our managed IT services, or contact us today for a consultation.
Featured image via Pexels
