5 Websites Small Business Owners Need to Help Protect Their Company From a Cyber Attack
Whether it’s due to stretched financial resources, lack of in-house expertise, or something else entirely, many small- to medium-sized businesses don’t give cybersecurity the attention it deserves — even though they often face the same online threats that confront large organizations. As a result, they’re especially vulnerable to an attack. In fact, in 2014, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) were the target of six out of every 10 cybercrimes. Worse yet, the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 60 percent of small businesses fold within half a year of experiencing a data breach.
The truth is, no company is too small to fall victim to a cyber attack. If you’re a business owner, it’s critical you take a proactive approach to safeguarding your online assets. Here are five of the best websites to keep you up to date on cybersecurity trends, threats, and protection.
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA website is an excellent place to start educating yourself about information security (InfoSec) as it relates to small businesses. In addition to easy-to-follow tips and advice the site offers a free, self-paced training titled “Cybersecurity for Small Businesses.” The 30-minute online course covers a range of basic information dealing with small business Internet security, including what type of data should be secured and best practices for protecting your small business against a cyber attack.
- Krebs on Security
As a reporter for “The Washington Post” — including several years on the publication’s Security Fix blog — Brian Krebs had access to some of the nation’s biggest names in the Internet security field. After he got hacked in 2001, he became even more engrossed in cybersecurity. Today, he authors Krebs on Security, one of the most respected blogs on the topic. Drawing on his talent as a reporter, Krebs’ writing is authoritative yet easy to digest, even for those who are new to InfoSec. Krebs covers everything from security tools, Web fraud, and data breaches, to the latest cybersecurity news.
- Wired: Threat Level
Wired is a digital publication known for its coverage of technology and reviews of the latest gadgets, but it’s also an excellent resource for Internet security. Wired’s security blog, Threat Level, is organized by topic, which makes it exceedingly user-friendly. The site includes pieces on Internet privacy, cybersecurity, cybercrime, hacks, and more. Threat Level is a particularly good source for understanding how the latest online security issues may impact your business, your industry, and your customers. If you’re short on time, scan the blog for the “Security This Week” tag to get a quick run-down of the most pressing security news. Similar to Krebs on Security, Threat Level is an easy read for those who are just becoming aware of cybersecurity issues.
- TechRepublic Security
A collection of all things cybersecurity related, TechRepublic Security offers blog posts, forums, and webcasts, plus White Papers and case studies from IT professionals. It’s an especially solid source for tools and templates that can help you craft cybersecurity policies and “how-tos” that can boost your company’s Internet safety protocol. Whether you are an InfoSec veteran or are just getting your feet wet, TechRepublic provides valuable information to help you navigate the world of online security.
- Security Weekly
With the mission of teaching people across the globe to be “security ninjas,” Paul Asadoorian’s Security Weekly blog will educate and entertain all at once. Through live video broadcasts, written content, and tutorials, the site explores nearly every facet of InfoSec. Some of the content is geared toward an audience with a background in data security, but even if you don’t have baseline knowledge, there are plenty of usable resources from the security gurus.
Cybercrime can cripple your small business, but fortunately, it’s often preventable. Read these blogs on a regular basis, put cybersecurity polices in place, and consider getting online protection from Frontier.
