Security is currently a hot topic for discussion, whether personal or national security. But as a small business owner in the Chicago area, you must also ensure the security of your IT infrastructure. Cyber thieves develop new ways daily to attack your network, including using powerful AI. Phishing scams, malware attacks, and ransomware threats abound, and as a small business in the greater Chicago area, you need a strong cybersecurity culture to defend your environment. Let’s consider the cybersecurity essentials and the effective sources of IT support your organization needs.
Let’s review the common cybersecurity threats:
Malware
Malware uses malicious software to make stealth attacks designed to damage IT infrastructure. These attacks can take many forms.
- Ransomware – This malware attack encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom to release it.
- Viruses – Attached to files or documents, these viruses multiply harmful software throughout a computer system, destroying the network’s data and operations.
- Spyware – Spyware describes malicious software that surreptitiously seizes sensitive system data and sends it to a third party.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams trick individuals into exposing sensitive information by sending them fraudulent emails or text messages or enticing them to click on counterfeit website links. Tricking these people into opening documents infested with viruses or clicking on dangerous links, these phishing attacks may infect IT networks and take advantage of infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Through phishing schemes, Chicago small businesses may inadvertently reveal private personal information (PII) of their employees, vendors, or customers. These phishing attacks prove greatly troublesome to organizations that regularly deal with credit card information. These businesses must comply with a set of standards managed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC).
What steps can Chicago small businesses take to protect against malware and phishing attacks and to instill in their organizations a strong cybersecurity culture?
- Enlist the help of IT professionals.
Does your IT team have the expertise to effectively combat the ever-evolving cyber threats? Consider enlisting the services of a managed IT services provider located in the Chicago area. The professionals at these groups not only maintain critical IT licenses, they also stay abreast of the latest security tools and can manage the vendor relationships supporting your infrastructure.
- Install a robust antivirus program and spam filter.
Antivirus programs, when maintained, detect viruses and prevent them from infesting networks, computer stations, and mobile devices. Spam filters identify fraudulent emails and block them from your staff’s inboxes. But these programs must be robust to thwart current cyber threats.
- Update software applications.
Periodically vendors release updates to their products. These patches deal with newly discovered security vulnerabilities, plugging any holes a cyber thief might find advantageous. Updates to your firewall application, the software designed to prevent unauthorized access to your network, are particularly critical.
- Institute multi-factor authentication (MFA).
How do your users gain access to your most important applications? Does a username and password suffice? Consider upgrading your security by requiring your users to authenticate their identities by offering multiple pieces of information. Along with passwords MFA may require a fingerprint scan, or a code sent to a phone.
- Create a strong cybersecurity culture.
Chicago small businesses develop a strong cybersecurity culture by educating their entire organizations to potential cyber threats. As mentioned above, malware and phishing scams target network users unaware of cybersecurity risks. A 2020 study conducted jointly by Stanford University and Tessian security firm reported 88% of security breaches result from human error. It’s critical to their network’s security for Chicago small businesses to regularly conduct security awareness training.
How can Chicago managed IT services enhance cybersecurity?
These professionals understand the security challenges in the Chicago business environment and identify robust solutions that support global security standards. These IT services provide:
- Threat Management – Chicago managed IT providers can keep their fingers on the pulse of your network ‘s security 24/7 and employ proactive threat management. Their IT technicians can thwart evolving threats by keeping your security applications updated.
- Custom Solutions – A Chicago managed IT service learns your business and partners with you to develop a security plan tailored to your organization and IT infrastructure. They can offer a cybersecurity solution that protects your network while staying within your budget.
As a Chicago small business, protect your IT by employing these cybersecurity essentials.
Whether you contract with a Chicago managed service provider for all your IT management needs or simply augment your own team with their services, the professionals at JMA Consulting can help you secure your IT infrastructure throughout the new year.