It can be tricky to convince an SMB that they need to invest in the latest security processes. Many of them don’t understand that their small business is at risk for a cyberattack. But you understand the real cost that these organizations could pay if they fail to enact crucial security protocols.
In this episode of B2B Tech Talk live from
Ingram Micro’s ONE event, guest host James Carbary of
Sweet Fish Media speaks with
Michael Richmond, the Director of Technology Services at
Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N).
Michael shares:
- The businesses most at risk for cyberattacks
- Working with security budgets
- Steps to take to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks
- What it’s like to work with Ingram Micro’s Trust X Alliance
Businesses at risk of cyberattacks
You don’t have to be in the
information security business for long to know that most small businesses see themselves as safe when it comes to breaches.
In reality, though, small to mid-sized companies are the most at risk for cyberattacks. Michael gives us a few reasons why:
- SMBs are often considered “under the radar”
- They offer high visibility to bad actors
- They have lower security budgets
- There’s often not enough bandwidth to respond to threats accordingly
Michael explains that many cyberattacks happen due to misconfigurations and the lack of security personnel and budget to properly respond.
Working with security budgets
Normally when working with SMBs, the budget is the biggest factor in determining a security approach. Even if the infrastructure calls for a refresh, it’s still challenging for small businesses to justify the price.
It’s the IT pro’s job to help the customer work out a plan to gradually integrate the
necessary tech and procedures. There doesn’t need to be an entire overhaul all at once.
One component to consider immediately, however, is a response process. Michael points out that as a field, we’re transitioning from preventative strategies to detective ones. Therefore, having a plan and the personnel ready for when a threat is detected is essential.
“We’re transitioning from preventative controls to detective.” — Michael Richmond
Mitigating the risk of cyberattacks
Michael shares some tips to mitigating cyber threats in SMBs:
- Take inventory of all your assets.
- Get a clear idea of your business’ digital footprint.
- Allocate the necessary budget for up-to-date security.
- Anything you can’t mitigate in-house, outsource to a trusted third party.
Helping SMBs understand the necessity of up-to-date security infrastructure takes time and planning. In the end, it will be worth it for small businesses to remain safe from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.